Certification. 12A
Running Time. 1 hour 58 mins
Director. Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Cast. Kevin Bacon, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei.
Rating. 64%
After 25 years of marriage, Emily Weaver (Julianne Moore) ends a quiet, humdrum dinner with her husband Cal (Steve Carell) by telling him she wants a divorce.
Struggling on his own, Cal befriends Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), or rather Jacob befriends Cal. Taking pity on Cal for no apparent reason other than the storyline requires him to, the seasoned Lothario takes Cal under his wing and attempts to teach him the ways of being single. This would appear to involve the uncomfortably problematic pretence that picking up women in the bar will almost certainly help Cal get over his loss.
There is a surprising, but powerful, chemistry between Carell and Gosling that anchors the entire film. The fraternal bond grows over a period of weeks as Jacob facilitates Cal's introduction to today's dating scene. Jacob's confidence and charm is the perfect antidote to Cal's dour and dispiriting demeanour. Carell and Gosling ensure there are ample comedic moments - often subtlety, the look of disgust on Jacob's face when Cal produces a Velcro wallet is priceless.
The film borrows heavily from the genre and many of the themes, tropes and storytelling devices of the romantic comedy are present. But where Crazy, Stupid, Love succeeds is that directors, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa manage the coincidences, misunderstandings and character arcs to full comic potential. The inventive plot twists and wild misdirections result in two or three genuine surprises.
Equally, Crazy, Stupid, Love is well-written. Very well-written. Dan Fogelman's screenplay is wonderfully observed. For example, when Emily questions, "I don't know when you and I stopped being us" or Cal, apologetically whispers, "I should have fought for you." Powerful and poignant.
What follows, as a result of the separation of Cal and Emily, is a series of interlinked dalliances that span three generations and so, at its heart, Crazy, Stupid, Love remains a film about love, loss and recuperation. It does not take Cal any length of time to realise that all he wants is Emily, his soulmate, and when it comes to crazy, stupid, love, experience counts for little.
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