A very surprising Rom-com, and one of Steve Carrell's best ever performances

Rating: 9/10 (2 October 2011)

I have nothing personal against Rom-coms, it's just that sometimes a film really surprises you in a good way or it falls flat on its face. Crazy, Stupid, Love fortunately belongs in the former category. If there was anything that lets Crazy, Stupid, Love down, it was that the film stumbles a little in the final act.
Everything else however works, and the result is a surprising and hugely enjoyable Rom-com. The filming is never cheap and often stylish and pretty and the scenery is very striking. The soundtrack also compliments the film very well, as does the direction. The story is very clever too with seldom a dull part, only the final act has signs of inconsistency.
For me, what lifts a Rom-com especially is the cast, the chemistry and the quality of the script. Luckily, Crazy, Stupid, Love succeeds in all three of those areas. The script is funny in a witty, droll and infectious sense, with plenty of moments to warm your heart and touch you too. The chemistry of the actors is also there and very believably done.
Steve Carrell is brilliant here, while I do consider him talented with good material, I don't think he has been this good in a while. Ryan Gosling exudes charisma in his role, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone are very charming and Marisa Tomei while perhaps over-the-top is memorable.
In conclusion, very surprising and really well done. 9/10 Bethany Cox