Carell's new flick based on own marriage

Steve Carell's new movie 'Date Night' is based on real life.

The 47-year-old actor admits the action comedy - which tells the tale of a married couple's attempts to spice up their social life turn dangerously wrong - contains similarities to his own marriage to 43-year-old wife Nancy.

He said: "So much of the script was informed by all of our life experiences. We all talked at length about our own marriages and the quirks within them, so the whole idea of my character leaving cabinets and drawers ajar, that's me.

"We did everything we could to make their marriage feel true, and when my wife saw it she instantly pointed her finger at me."

Steve also praises his 'Date Night' co-star Tina Fey, and says the comedy writer and actress has "got it all".

He told the Scotsman newspaper: "She's such a sweetheart and I just love her.

"She's smart, funny and sexy - she's got it all. It was so easy to bounce off each other during filming - you can see us improvising on the gag reel at the end of the movie. And it's a very relaxing way to shoot a movie because the weight isn't only on your shoulders."

'Date Night' opened in US cinemas on Friday and has so far taken $27m (€20m) at the box office.