Consinema Reviews: Crazy Stupid Love

Poster courtesy Wartner Brothers

On the jBrad scale: 4.5 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Rating: 4.5 popcorn bags

Title: Crazy Stupid Love

Director: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa (the writers, directors, producers of I love you Phillip Morris, Cats & Dogs, Bad Santa, and Bad News Bears)

The Pitch: A movie about falling in love at the wrong time, in the wrong place, with the wrong people.What could possibly go wrong?

Plot Summary: Forty-something Cal (Steve Carell) is living the Dream until his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) has an affair and asks for a divorce. His life starts to unravel as he plays the divorcee doofus, sulks around the local pickup joint, and meets "Playa" Jake (Ryan Gosling), who "Myagis" him in the ways of seduction.

The Verdict: It never lives up to the Crazy part in the title, but its unabashed sweetness, and the talented cast, more than make up for it.

What Shines?: the writing. It pull together ancillary plotlines involving his 12 year old son's and 18 year old babysitter's crushes, with a great twist when Jake unexpectedly gets "played", falls in love and needs Cal's advice on love.

What Sucks?: Can't think of a thing, the whole plot rings true. No explosions or robots, though.Oh yeah, and about  the cameo by Josh Groban? Don't quit your day job, Josh.

Watch out for: The moment when everyone's chickens come home to roost in the same moment, place and time. And a welcome bit by Marisa Tomei as his son's homeroom teacher (plus one more degree of Kevin Bacon)-absolutely, laugh out loud funny!