‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ ticks all the boxes

Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 03:42 PM

Crazy, Stupid, Love

(Cert 12, 125 mins, Comedy/Drama/Romance)

On the way home from a restaurant, Emily Weaver (Julianne Moore) confesses to her husband Cal (Steve Carell) that she slept with co-worker David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon) and wants a divorce.

The cuckolded husband seeks refuge at a cocktail bar where lothario Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) takes pity on him and confidently assures Cal, “I’m going to help you rediscover your manhood.”

With expert guidance, Cal seduces feisty school teacher Kate (Marisa Tomei) and rediscovers his mojo.

Meanwhile, Jacob pursues law student Hannah (Emma Stone), who is impervious to his chat-up lines.

Back home at the Weaver house, Cal and Emily’s 13-year-old son Robbie (Jonah Bobo) declares his crush for 17-year-old babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton): “I love you. I’m pretty sure you’re my soul mate.”

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a rare treat – an intelligent and sophisticated adult-oriented romantic comedy that doesn’t resort to gross-out humour, boasting pithy dialogue and exemplary performances from an ensemble cast, who explore the many winding paths to true love.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s follow-up to ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ is hilarious, heart-warming and bittersweet and Dan Fogelman’s script pokes fun at convention and the good-looking cast.

Carell and Moore are wonderful, milking their characters’ tears of regret.

Gosling demonstrates a light comic touch and screen chemistry with Stone is electric, including a hilarious recreation of an iconic 1980s film.

Rapport between Carell and Gosling is also strong, the latter taking one look at the emotionally shattered husband and despairing, “I don’t know whether to help you or euthanise you.”

Thankfully for Ficarra and Requa’s delightful film, it’s the former.

Rating: 4/5.