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Dan in Real Life
2008
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65 %
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$ 68 Million
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Dan in Real Life
Positive Reviews
72
Negative reviews
16
Average Rating
3.4
/5
romantic
enjoyable
interesting
dramatic
All
Positive
Negative
4.2
Carells Dan Burns is a good father, maybe a heroic one, but a bit overprotective; hes clenched with fear.
EW
2.5
Smoothly entertaining fare, but with a bit more nerve it could have been so much more.
Time Out
2.5
Which isnt to say that we dont form a relationship with these creatures.
1.5
Of course, this particular problem isnt beyond the purview of mature adults: You smolder, you ponder, you temporize, it gets messy, you deal.
2.5
Awkward situations ensue as Dan and Marie cant get together yet cant stay apart.
3.8
Thankfully, Hedges keeps his focus and doesnt allow the film to just become a series of sketches and syrupy confessionals.
E Film Critic
5.0
And though its level of sheer comic craftsmanship dwarfs most contenders, it doesnt feel in any way constructed.
San Francisco Chronicle
3.0
A small but sweetly formed comedy of romantic misfortune that cant quite keep Hollywood at bay.
4.5
It doesnt resort to either stock comic relief or dramatic tear jerking.
Cinema Blend
3.1
Sweet it is. Remotely connected to real life, however, it is not.
Ny Daily News
3.1
Almost reflexively, the filmmakers skirt Dans messier conflicts. But it is the moments when they dont dance around the awkward issue of a brother fall ..
Philly
4.0
A smart and sassy romantic comedy about two people who are surprised by love and forced to navigate its tricky waters in a large extended family setti ..
Spirituality And Practice
2.5
As resolutely plastic and formulaic as most half hour network comedy pilots.
One Guys Opinion
3.5
Carell is appealing and the family drama plays out as something real that sort of sneaks up on you in a good way.
Sover
2.5
If he ever makes a movie with Jack Black, theres no way Ill be able to endure it.)
ReelViews
3.8
Its a clever idea for a romantic comedy that presents a credible obstacle for two modern, would be lovers to maneuver around for 90 minutes.
Tv Guide
1.9
Dan in Real Life is an odd title for a movie that hasnt the slightest concept of real life.
Combust Ible Celluloid
3.2
Shes sexy and charming and mysterious and maternal and sparks beautifully with Carell while not seeming out of reach of playboy Cook.
2.5
The end result is a watchable endeavor thats often more effective as an actors showcase than as a fully realized drama, with the films mediocrity espe ..
Reel Film Reviews
3.5
Writer director Peter Hedges (Pieces of April) maintains a perfect balance between the comedy and the romance.
Lariat
3.5
And would Dan really fall in love this fast, in one weekend, in the crowded, bustling family reunion atmosphere Im skeptical, and the movie doesnt do ..
Eric Ds Nider
3.0
Carell and Binoche are great fun to watch, doing just what the movie requires (not much, as scripted by Pierce Gardner and director Peter Hedges) and ..
News Review
3.5
Knowingly examines romance, parenthood, grief and betrayal, but succumbs slightly to simplistic sentimentality.
Shadows On The Wall
4.0
Enjoyable, emotionally engaging and frequently hilarious comedy drama with a superb script and terrific performances from its ensemble cast.
View London
2.2
Bad movies invariably stem from bad ideas, and the worst of the several rancid ideas packed inside of Dan in Real Life is that Steve Carell could be t ..
Cs Monitor
3.8
Meanwhile, hes trying to keep a sneaky Lotharios paws off his teen daughter (You are a MURDERER OF LOVE!
New York Post
4.5
A film of quiet but true pleasures, Dan in Real Life affirms that theres a real movie career still ahead for Steve Carell.
Film Journal International ..
3.8
Dan in Real Life is a pretty warm, genuine comedy that succeeds, at least in part, because of some gutsy casting choices.
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
2.5
Instead, Hedges spirits us to one of those large, fractious family gatherings that can be hard to take when the clan isnt your own (see: The Family St ..
Boston
2.5
And when it isnt doing that, it goes all hot, soft and wooly with maudlin sentiment involving Carell and his three screen daughters.
Mountain X
4.5
But as it turns out, I had to forgive Dan in Real Life that bit of self indulgent please like me anxiety, because, gosh darn it, it actually is human ..
3.1
Plus hes eminently capable of just being a self pitying dork, a quality the admirably fearless Carell has no difficulty pinning right on the mans prou ..
Toronto Star
3.2
Executive producers: Noah Rosen, Darlene Camano Loquet, Marie Jo Winkler Ioffreda.
Emanuellevy
4.5
For all its predictability, Dan in Real Life knows what it is and doesnt shirk from the consequences.
Reel Talk Reviews
4.5
There is no mistaking Hedges film for anything other than a saccharine corn fest, but what keeps it from palling entirely is the strength of the ensem ..
Eye For Film
4.5
Peter Hedges (Whats Eating Gilbert Grape, About A Boy) has written sublime script that keeps emotions sharp and ultra real.
4.0
But while the premise may not be the most original, the films warmth, witty script and engaging performances make it an wonderfully uplifting experien ..
Bbc
3.0
Binoche is, duh, lovely and amazing, and her work here actually makes me angry that she doesnt work more.
Bullz-Eye
1.0
As winning as Carell is, Dan is fundamentally a creep, and it doesnt help that Carell and Binoche have no chemistry.
Las Vegas Weekly
4.0
Touching, tender and laugh out loud funny, this little rom com will melt your heart then rebuild it afresh. Its so warm and inviting, youll want to sp ..
Total Film
5.0
If what you want is a star driven sophisticated romantic comedy that is successfully aimed at actual adults, the wait can seem like forever. Until now ..
Calendar Live
4.4
As a surprisingly engaging romantic comedy starring an unlikely romantic lead, Dan in Real Life warms your heart in all the right places. And makes yo ..
Hollywood
2.8
Carell can pull it off without losing the audience, but it doesnt feel honest coming from Dan.
Seattle Pi
3.0
...not awful, but not up to the quality of the screwball comedies of the 30s and 40s...There are smiles where there could have been guffaws.
Tony Medley
3.8
The writing here is as honest as any Ive experienced this year, the script a continuous symphony of all of lifes numerous bells and whistles that cont ..
Movie Freak
4.3
The Bottom Line: Dan in Real Life is a thoroughly charming and enjoyable film that mixes fun with a poignant look at life, love and family in all thei ..
4.5
Its Dans that is, Carells forlorn attempt to keep some modicum of self respect thats so endearing.
Cnn
3.0
I prefer a little more dysfunction in my dysfunctional family comedies.
7M Pictures
1.5
Imagine what it would take to make an audience prefer Dane Cook over Steve Carell, then double it.
Oregon Live
4.5
This picture about romance found unexpectedly in middle age juxtaposes poignant observations about love and family with genuinely humorous moments.
Boxoffice Magazine
3.2
Carell and Binoche do make a sweet couple, but this rom com fare albeit tasty at times isnt as substantial as it should be.
E Online
2.0
About as riotous as gassing yourself during a wet weekend in Worksop.
Mirror
2.5
Okay for forgiving romance fans, and a maybe see for the rest of us.
Varia Gate
4.4
Steve Carell stars in this small treasure of a movie, a film so filled with heart and imagination that its sure to be cherished by many.
Christianity Today
0.0
By trade, hes a relationship advice expert with a popular column thats about to be nationally syndicated.
News Blaze
4.5
A sweet, affectionate and emotionally genuine venture into that complicated crossroads of family tribal conflict and found love, however unavailable t ..
News Blaze
1.9
The films momentum stalls up to and including a rather weak climax and even weaker resolution.
Ross Anthony
4.0
It doesnt matter, really, that aside from Mitch and Mom (Diane Wiest) and Dad (John Mahoney), the other family members arent finely drawn.
Killer Movie Reviews
3.8
Dane Cook doesnt know what to do with his role (big surprise) but, for once, that actually works.
Big Picture Big Sound
3.8
Binoche takes the fairly one note character of Marie and allows her to blossom.
1.3
even Derek Jeter strikes out once in a while, so Steve Carell was bound to have a stinker eventually, and Dan In Real Life is it.
Waffle Movies
3.8
A wry, smart and perceptive dramedy about family and lifes other surprises.
Js Online
2.0
Its amiable enough, but the ickiness levels are too high and Juliette Binoche always looks uncomfortable in this shallow end material.
Film Guardian
2.5
For some reason, this doesnt make anyone at the table except Dan want to throw up.
Mercury News
2.5
A charming, though occasionally off target and consistently tempo challenged romantic comedy.
No La
1.5
The movie is called Dan in Real Life, but its a stretch worthy of Reed Richards to believe that anything in this tepid plate of idiocy would actually ..
Or Lando Weekly
1.5
No sooner than youre stirred by something surprising or genuinely sweet, youre shaken by another piece of shtick.
Wsj
3.5
Dan in Real Life is an enjoyable if curious creature, a naturalistic ensemble comedy wed to a high flown sitcom premise. Its infused with a warm optim ..
Guide Live
1.5
The setup of this comedy by director cowriter Peter Hedges and some subsequent twists may be contrived, and the laughs arent very plentiful, but much ..
Chicago Reader
3.2
Carell, who is quickly building an impressive big screen resume, shines and brings the rest of the film up a few notches in the process.
From The Balcony
4.0
An off centre rom com with unlikely stars, this indie drama is neither too funny nor too romantic in its balance of laughs and tenderness. The perfect ..
Film4
3.5
I wound up enjoying most of what I saw, despite its familiarity and predictability. The films got a good heart.
Movie Metropolis
3.8
This is one of those feel good movies that really does make you feel good.
Aisle Seat
2.5
In the movie world, these characters might have been interesting, but in real life, they were too one dimensional to make you want them to find true l ..
TheMovieChicks.com
1.3
Whats wrong with Steve Carrell His is one of the quickest falls from comedy to crap since Chevy Chase.
Boston Phoenix
2.5
It attempts to take a Threes A Company situation and mix it together with a widower trying to raise three children. This is not cool.
The Scorecard Review
4.5
Thats life and you have to own it and let somebody hurt if thats what it takes.
Can Mag
4.5
Its hard not to enjoy a heartwarming movie, such as Dan in Real Life.
Vulture
1.5
A bit more convincingly portrayed bitterness, though, would have made the movies laughs all sweeter in contrast.
IGN Movies
2.5
The previews make Dan in Real Life look like a tepid romantic comedy that makes little use of Steve Carells gifts. Well, the previews are right.
Detroit News
3.0
Carell cant rescue this sometimes charming romantic comedy from its real problems.
Movies Ign
3.0
Like a well done Produce Pete sketch, Carell peels back layers of banality covering the bitterness underneath.
Films Nobs
3.2
Director Hedgess signature trademark of broad comedy with family sentiment on display with reasonable success.
Compuserve
3.0
Director Peter Hedges overloads his film with characters and then gives them nothing interesting to do.
Metromix.com
3.0
Its like the cream and sugar decaf version of The 40 Year Old Virgin sweet enough, but nothing that will keep you from dozing off.
Metromix.com
4.4
Carell continues his march as this generations Tom Hanks, equally comfortable and at home in comedy or drama.
Crazed Fan Boy
2.5
Dan In Real Life is neither bad nor particularly good. Its simply more disposable, soon to be forgotten, entertainment.
2 The Advocate
4.5
Romantic but gents, dont let this deter you its about a man, his journey, and his burdens, its a story of a husband and a dad and a brother and a man ..
Cine Rina
3.8
Add in a terrific soundtrack of original songs by singer songwriter Sondre Lerche, and Dan in Real Life is an unexpected and very welcome treat, a cro ..
Madison
2.0
Alas, forays behind the camera with Pieces of April and now Dan in Real Life indicate hes got Sundance intentions but a Hallmark Channel soul.
MSNBC
4.5
And at the same time hes not a circus sideshow where hes so over the top you cant take him seriously.
Movie Views
3.8
I came away thinking that it just might be the sweetest film of the year.
3.8
Dan is a delightful motion picture, especially when it combats the fatigue of formula, trying to smuggle in astute characterizations between moments o ..
English Oh My News
2.5
The movie has its charms, especially the performances, but theyre not the charms of family togetherness and finding love after loss that the movie so ..
Mark Reviews Movies Tripod ..
3.5
Carell seems to be at his best when he is put in awkward situations and is forced to make a fool out of himself, and there are plenty of those moments ..
Wd Times
4.5
Like the movie itself, Carells performance doesnt really give you a reason to leave home, but if you find yourself watching it, you will be pleasantly ..
Style Weekly
3.8
It sounds corny, and it is as are many other of the goofy sequences that seem lame on paper but work in execution. But thats family.
Arizona Daily Star
3.8
The laughter from the audience was sustained throughout the film.
Houston Community Newspape ..
2.8
Dan in Real Life is this years Family Stone, a pleasant enough diversion especially if your own family is driving you crazy but quickly forgotten.
Contra Costa Times
3.5
entyposiaka prosgeiomeno kai pisteyto (sto megalytero meros toy toylahiston), me mia epistrosi glykopikroy glassoy panta paroysa, na kalyptei tis elle ..
Movies for the Masses
3.0
Dan in Real Life is a film willing to admit that love is messy and that family, no matter how strained, is still the most perfect cauldron within whic ..
Colorado Springs Gazette
4.0
As the author of Whats Eating Gilbert Grape, writer director Hedges knows how to tell a story about kith and kin without smothering it in goo.
Sky Cinema
3.8
Carell plays it fairly straight in a movie that hits high on the scales of comedy and romance, with just a dollop of dramatic reality. Its almost as i ..
4.0
Its hard for a film like this not to come off as too sweet, but this grown up comedy manages in making it a real gem.
See Where to Watch
Dan in Real Life