Really terrific dark comedy that is a gem!

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2012)

I had heard from several people that Crazy Stupid Love was good so I had some decent expectations when I saw it for the first time but it met those expectations easily. This is the perfect movie for everyone because it is definitely a romance movie but also part comedy and heavy drama. Women and men can enjoy so many different aspects of this film but the key to it is the characters. This is absolutely a character driven film and you will laugh and smile and cry and just truly be enthralled by these people and their life.
Steve Carell proves once again what an incredibly versatile actor he can be. He is truly outstanding as the suddenly jolted Cal who has to basically find himself again. This is a coming of age movie for a forty something year old man. Carell has this way about him that is so emotional and funny but has this dark comedic element to him. Ryan Gosling is phenomenal as the smooth talking ladies man Jacob Palmer. Gosling and Carell have such amazing chemistry in this movie that they bring out the best in each other. I'm not usually a big fan of Julianne Moore but she is pretty good in this. I don't think she lives up the level put forth by Carell or Gosling or some of the other cast members but she fits into the cast well and has good chemistry. Emma Stone is terrific in her role. Her and Gosling have great chemistry and they seem odd for each other and yet they fit so well. Her character is fantastic and the twist to the film will leave you shocked! Jonah Bobo deserves mention because he is also absolutely excellent as Carell's son Robbie who is having a coming of age of his own. His role isn't big but its effective and he is great in it. Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon round out the supporting cast and they're decent in their roles though they don't stand out.
If I had to nail one genre to Crazy Stupid Love I think I'd call it a drama and yet there are so many scenes that are just truly funny, whether its dark funny, or awkward funny, or slapstick...this movie has it all. One of the best scenes I have seen in a film in a long time is the scene in Carell's backyard when everyone shows up and a fight breaks out, it was absolutely hilarious and yet heart wrenching all at the same time and that pretty much describes this whole movie. This is the perfect Saturday night date movie, or just a movie you can watch again and again and just truly enjoy some outstanding performances by some truly gifted actors and an ensemble cast. Crazy Stupid Love is really great! 8/10