Breaking up is hard to do

Rating: 7/10 (11 March 2012)

Imagine Cal Weaver's surprise at the end of what appears a nice dinner at a good restaurant. For dessert, his wife Emily, undecided what to order, asks him for a divorce. Cal's world collapses right under his feet. After all, having been married to a woman for twenty five years and whom he considered his soul mate, it was not in his book. The reason for Emily's request is she has been seeing a man from her office. The Weavers are well off. They have three children, but the person most affected by the news is Robbie, a teenager going through some changes.
As Cal decides to move from the house, he must find a bachelor pad for himself. Cal, who is an uncool man, must find himself a way to continue with his life, something he finds inconceivable at his age. Cal begins frequenting a singles bar. He cannot get over the suave guy he watches picking up women every night. It appears to him, the man always scores. One night, the man, Jacob, approaches Cal with a proposal: stop whining and get a life. In fact, Jacob agrees to guide Cal into uncharted territory.
What follows is an almost miracle transformation of Cal. His luck with women is assured with his hew attitude. Cal scores big with Kate, a teacher, who is a sex animal. Cal cannot get his mind from Emily and the family in spite of his new social graces. We watch him going at night to tend to the garden without being seen by anyone. Robbie, his son, has a crush on Jessica, the baby sitter Emily insists in engaging.
The newly found life style does not bring happiness to Cal. Unknown to him, Jacob met and fell in love with his grown up daughter Hannah, something that shocks him, knowing well about the reputation of the man. In reality, Jacob had a change of heart as he met the young woman. He is a new man, but Cal does not see it that way. It takes a lot of convincing for Cal to accept his former mentor as the boyfriend of Hannah. In fact, at Robbie's graduation from middle school the whole family comes together, as Emily realizes her mistake.
A fun comedy directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Recqua, following their success with "I Love Your Phillip Morris". The screenplay is by Dan Fogelman. Although a bit formulaic, the film keeps moving at a great pace as the situations keep the amusement. The creators have stayed away from dwelling on Emily's deceit as well as Cal's sudden exploits, making it more real. The teenage angst of Robbie is examined in a light mood.
Not being a Steve Carell's fan, one has to recognize he does a better job, helped no doubt, by the direction he was given. He is an actor that works perhaps too hard to be liked. The real performance in the picture is Ryan Gosling, usually seen in more dramatic roles. Mr. Gosling keeps getting better all the time, doing an excellent turn as the nice predator who always gets lucky. Julianne Moore has not much to do. Her relationship is not played too much. A wonderful small part for Marisa Tomei as Kate, the teacher. Emma Stone is also notable for the sweetness she brings to Jessica. Jonah Bobo and Analeigh Tipton do a nice job as Robbie and Jessica. Kevin Bacon has little to do as the home wrecker.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" was one of the best comedies that came out in 2011.