| Dan in Real Life | 
 enlarge | Director: Peter Hedges
Actors: Juliette Binoche, Steve Carell, John Mahoney, Bernie Mcinerney, Dianne Wiest
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy Used: $4.98
You Save: $25.01 (83%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  127 reviews
Sales Rank: 1042
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 98
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: DISD54166D
UPC: 786936732658
EAN: 0786936732658
ASIN: B00118T632
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: March 11, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Steve Carell's best film performance to date can be found in the fitfully engaging Dan In Real Life, where his long-suffering persona suits a character who lets his long-dormant hopes rise for a moment, only to be shot down again. Carell plays Dan Burns, a newspaper columnist who writes about family issues and relationships. As a widower with three growing girls to raise, however, the difference between Dan's printed wisdom and his struggles with fatherhood and loneliness is often vast. He's put to a severe test when he packs up the kids for a cabin holiday with his parents and siblings, then falls for the exotic, if elusive, Marie (Juliette Binoche) during a solo excursion to a bookstore. Stirred by a woman for the first time since his late wife, Dan is shocked to find that Marie is actually dating his brother Mitch (Dane Cook), and that she'll be spending the vacation with him in the midst of his family. From that point, the script, co-written by director Peter Hedges (Pieces of April), pretty much becomes a parade of difficult circumstances under which both Dan and Marie have to keep their attraction to one another secret. Certain scenes work better than others, but there is an overall monotony to the movie that isn't helped by a lack of onscreen chemistry between Binoche and Carell. Both actors are fine on their own terms, but whatever is supposed to be clicking between Marie and Dan isn't compelling enough to make one truly care that they get together somehow. Still, this is a film with plenty of moments to like, especially when Carell gets to broaden his previous range of emotions in a movie. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 03/11/2008 Run time: 98 minutes Rating: Pg13
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| Customer Reviews: Read 122 more reviews...
 No "Pieces of April," but Peter Hedges' work is always worth your time November 17, 2008
While "Dan in Real Life" doesn't rank up there with writer/director Peter Hedges' masterpiece, Pieces of April, it's got the same feel and emotion. My only quibble here is that Steve Carell's Dan turns spiteful and angry halfway through saying some pretty hurtful things to "brother" Dane Cook at the Thanksgiving table. Dan becomes rather unlikeable. It seems a stretch that Juliet Binoche's character would remain attracted or at least intrigued.
Still, Hedges' fingerprints are all over the film in a masterful way. He brought the acting group together (save for Carell, who was busy filming 'The Office') to have them practice being a family unit. That shows - this feels like a family. I note that he brought together some superb NYC theater actors in his ensemble, most notably Dianne Wiest, Nobert Leo Butz and the incomparable Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone).
Also, his choice of Pete Townsend's underrated hit "Let My Love Open the Door" is wonderful. Carell unexpectedly turns it into an emotional, plaintive call with one additional chorus. It ends up being the turning point of the movie.
 4.5 stars November 17, 2008
Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widower with three daughters, and during a family holiday, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) in a book store and is immediately smitten--the first time he's been interested in a woman since his wife died. Unfortunately, she turns out to be his brother Mitch's (Dane Cook) new girlfriend.
That's really the whole story--the romance between Dan and Marie, how they make it work out, and the family dynamics.
The Good:
There aren't any pat answers, though it's obvious to the viewer that Marie is better suited to Dan than to Mitch, but it's not as cut-and-dried as that. Marie and Mitch aren't horribly wrong for each other.
Likewise, when Dan realizes he's been neglecting his daughters in his preoccupation with Marie, the answer is neither that he should seek his fulfillment in fatherhood and forget about Marie, nor that he should devote himself to love and assume his daughters will come around eventually.
Like real life, it's messy, and the answers lie somewhere in the middle.
Also as in real life, the characters aren't perfect, though Dan's parents (Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney) come close.
The Bad:
The family as a whole is just a little too Norman Rockwell-ish to be believed. Among the family activities is a family talent show, for goodness sake.
The Verdict:
Some of the trappings may be exaggerated, but the emotions are honest and real. I especially appreciated the lack of oversimplified easy answers.
Good Movie, rent it first November 13, 2008
I liked this movie a lot and I recommend watching it but it is a very personal choice whether to buy it or not. So if you are reading this review without watching the movie first, go rent it and then make your decision But if you had seen it and are reading this review dont fool yourself and buy it.
Great Family Entertainment November 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In this day of off-color humor, this charming film is a breath of fresh air. I'll admit, I waited until it was out on DVD; after all, Steve Carrell and Dan Cook aren't exactly known for starring in roles considered "family-friendly". I was pleasantly surprised at the all-around wholesome subject matter.
If you're in the mood for a feel-good movie with plenty of laughs, this film delivers. Delightful!
 Pan this real life October 25, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is nothing real, or likable, about Dan in real life. The movie meant to represent a real human being's foibles, sorrows and feelings. Instead, we are treated to affable Steve Carell using his The Office persona in a movie that has little depth, warmth or charm. Sadly, the film is an inexcusable waste of the remarkable talents of its actors, not the least of whom is Juliette Binoche. In fact, the movie is embarassing fake, with nothing in the dialogue approaching genuine conversation.
Don't waste your time on this one.
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