Written by: Pierce Gardner, Peter Hedges
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill, Britt Robertson, Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney, Norbert Leo Butz, Amy Ryan
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
A widower finds out the woman he fell in love with is his brother's girlfriend.
Verdict
It's a cute story that is a bit exaggerated, but the cast is talented and the movie remains enjoyable. This gets lose in rom-com tropes and cheesy scenes. While we don't know the specifics of the ending, this type of movie only ends one way.
It depends.
Review
Steve Carell has some range, no doubt. He's in a great situation for a movie. He meets a great woman, who just so happens to be dating his brother. The entire family is at Dan's parents which make the situation ripe for comedy and awkwardness as they can't avoid each other.
Dan is excited to have met someone and he can't help but share with his family. He tells them he's met someone and that seemed like a bad movie by itself. He literally just met someone and they don't have a relationship. He shared his problems all morning. She barely spoke. Being a movie they do have a connection, but I do like that Dan is excited. Of course next he meets the woman again when his brother walks in with her. I like the set up and it really helps carry the movie. Nothing else in the movie is as good as the setup.
Dan is coaxed into talking about the woman he met with Marie present. Dan's not so subtle about flirting with Marie later, even his kids know it. A double date with Dan, his brother, Marie, and Ruthie leads to jealousy and spitefulness.
You know this is going to end up with someone admitting the truth and the family finding out. That happens in a big way, capped with a happy ending. As neat as the opening for the movie is, the ending is equally bland.
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