"Crazy Stupid Love" is a hilariously funny film that is both smart and wise, in which first-rate actors are given a top shelf script and allowed to do what they do best.
Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is a 40-something, somewhat boring but happy man who has everything he's ever wanted—nice house, great yard, a happy marriage and great kids. Unfortunately his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore) doesn't feel the same. She's so unhappy that she's cheated on him with David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon) an accountant in her office, which in her mind proves just how screwed up their marriage really is and she wants a divorce. Separated from Emily, the once comfortable, content and fatherly Cal is just uncool—from his clothes to his big sloppy tennis shoes—nothing is working for him.
Left to his own devices Cal just sulks in the local bar, being just a little too obnoxious, too loud and too bothersome. Unable to stand hearing Cal's whining about Emily and this David Lindhagen another day, 30-something hottie Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) calls Cal over to his table and offers to help him pull is life together. Cal accepts Jacob's offer and he gets a make-over that would make Stacy and Clinton proud.
Jacob teaches Cal everything he knows and successfully creates a slightly older, equally suave, womanizing version of himself. Meanwhile, Cal's son Robbie (Jonah Bobo) falls madly in love with his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton). The only problem is Jessica has a crush on Cal.
All this is just the set up for a side splittingly funny story about three guys, Cal, Jacob and Robbie, who each deal with finding or holding on to their soul mates, in very different ways. Carell is in top form and is a perfectly matched with Gosling--who also has impeccable comedic timing. Marisa Tomei is pure perfection and steals her scenes if not the show. Emma Stone and Moore are solid as a rock, straight girls who give the film poignancy.
All and all "Crazy Stupid Love" is an unpredictable story filled with laughs from beginning to end and is a reminder of how clever a romantic comedy can be. www.crazystupidlovemovie.com
DIRECTOR: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa SCREENWRITER: Dan Fogelman PRODUCERS: Vance DeGeneres, Charlie Hartsock, David Siegel CAST: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone RUN TIME: 118 minutes MPAA RATING: PG-13
