Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widower of three teenage daughters who makes his living writing advice columns. Problem is he can’t seem to take his own advice especially the holiday he visits his parents (Dianne Weist and “Frasiers” John Mahoney) at their Rhode Island beach house. While killing time in the bookstore, Dan comes across Marie (Juliette Binoche) quite possibly the answer to his loneliness; until he gets home to find out she’s the very girl his brother (Dane Cook) is dating. From the writer/director Peter Hedges of “Pieces of April” and “About A Boy” comes another romantic masterpiece utilizing the elements of human flaw, human nature and sentiment. Carell, who has made a career out of TV’s “The Office” and amusing roles on the big screen, shows a vulnerable, sexy and humbled side and we like it! This is his best work to date. This is the type of movie that you don’t want to see end. This is the type of movie that keeps you swept up in their potential romance. Not since “Pretty Woman” has a romantic comedy cast a spell on the audience who continues to sit there as the credits role. Ben Stiller and Matt McConaughey couldn’t do this role. It’s for big boys and it’s very real or in this case, Dan in Real Life. Four tiaras
