All-star romantic comedy from the directors of I Love You Phillip Morris.
Steve Carell plays straight-laced Cal, a man having trouble readjusting to single life after his wife (Julianne Moore) cheats on him and divorces. Single and desperately un-cool, Cal sulks his nights away at the local bar. That is until he meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a suave man-slapper and player, who takes Cal on as his wingman and protege. Jacob attempts to sharpen his style to get him back in the game. Also stars Marisa Tomei, Emma Stone and Kevin Bacon.
Well, it’s an apt title. The 'crazy' applies to the logic, which has Ryan Gosling as ladies' man Jacob. When he’s not chatting up his next conquest, he feels compelled to help Steve Carell’s Cal become a middle-aged version of himself. The 'stupid' applies to the endless parade of women willing to bed Jacob, having just met him. Perhaps writer Dan Fogelman is a wishful thinker.
For all its flaws, there’s still plenty to love about this ridiculous romp, elevating it from stock-standard romantic comedy into a cute Carell vehicle that combines the adolescent humiliation of American Pie and the middle-aged angst of The 40 Year-Old Virgin.
"The skin under your eyes looks like Hugh Hefner’s ball sack," is one of several cut-throat lines delivered by a newly gym-cut Gosling. "It's like you’re photoshopped," quips Emma Stone’s Hannah the first time she gets a look at his torso.
Balancing out the constant quippery is a film that tightly manoeuvres around its central theme – everyone’s troubled in love, and that love takes on many forms, from the creepy, unrequited variety, to Cal’s lack of self-love, to the heart-breaking complexities of a faltering marriage. There are fine performances from Carell and Julianne Moore as his unhappy wife, Emily. They provide a little more depth to a story that is otherwise destined to culminate in a screwball climax of epically silly proportions. It’s crazy stupid fun, in other words. With a little more heart than most.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
I wish Kamo or Whangarei would get these top movies in. These branches SUCK!
a sweet, light and funny watch. better than a lot of the current train-wreck rom-coms that have been hitting the screens. Ryan Gosling's beautiful-ness made up for the less-than-great parts! Carell does well in this film and I also love Emma Stone.
Tone is important in comedies, defining whether a film is a slapstick farce, a witty observational charmer, a bawdy romp or a darkly comic satire (among others). Unfortunately Crazy, Stupid, Love. is as undecided on its tone as its over-punctuated title. All the actors seem to be starring in different movies and any genuine originality the film might have developed is completely tossed aside when all the major storylines collide in one of the most contrived conclusions I've ever witnessed on screen. Crazy, Stupid, Love. isn't terrible, it just lets down the Crazy Love with too many moments of Stupid.
Finally went to see this on 2Degree twofer day. Enjoyed the movie. It was funny, romantic, feel-good, and yes, of course has a happy ending for all concerned. Ryan Gosling's bod is indeed photoshopped and we get to see it for a few mins which is a bonus. All the characters are reasonably appealing. Funny turn by Marissa Tormei as a teacher. Recommend it all right. PS - I didn't expect "Nana" to turn out to be who it was, must be missing things in my old age!
I was pleasantly surprised. Straight forward story with twists & turns of family, love, reconciliation & light heartedness. Funny in parts, but don't go in expecting the usual Carrell bloke humour. I think both sexes will enjoy, loved the Dirty Dancing scene. Would give 3*.
For most of the way, Crazy, Stupid, Love coasts more than agreeably on the talents of four hugely charismatic actors and a tart, knowing script that tweaks the rom-com formula just enough to seem fresh.
Crazy, Stupid, Love is a sweet romantic comedy about good-hearted people. Imagine that
The movie suffers perhaps from too many characters and subplots but all the actors appear to have fun with their characters.
The romantic comedy and its stellar cast play out each of the title's three words to brilliant effect, but it's love in all its permutations that comes away with the starring role.
What makes it worth watching, and worth liking, is the sense that it arrives at its warm and comforting view of things not by default but by choice.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 25th Aug 2011.
Release date: August 25th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
