Crazy, Stupid, Love Is Crazy, Stupid, Awesome

We live in a day and age where getting divorced is the least of your problems. Crazy, Stupid, Love recognizes how desensitized we’ve become when Cal (Steve Carell), who’s just been told by his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) that she wants a divorce, gets no sympathy from his co-workers. They joke that at least he doesn’t have cancer. Thankfully, Cal’s emotional journey throughout the movie reminds us that getting divorced is like having a loved one pass away. It’s a time in your life that deserves proper grieving. But that serious side doesn’t mean Crazy, Stupid, Love doesn’t also have its laugh out loud moments.

The central plot revolves around Cal attempting to get back in touch his manly side to win Emily back. But from that central idea comes many offshoot storylines involving Cal’s son Robbie (Johan Bobo), the babysitter (Analeigh Tipton), and young law student Hannah (Emma Stone). There’s a point in the movie where all the branching storylines come together in surprising, but totally satisfying way. It’s a big WTF?! moment that you just have to see.

Carell does a marvelous job playing the devastated and cowardly Cal and the confidant, heroic Cal we see later in the film. After so many years playing the awkward, bumbling and tactless Michael Scott on The Office, it’s easy to forget that Carell can bring more to the table as an actor. The last time we saw him playing a character this real and vulnerable was in Little Miss Sunshine. He’s very subtle, with a lot his acting being done in his eyes, and yet we still get to see the goofy side of him we originally fell in love with.

The real stand out that will get people talking is Ryan Gosling’s womanizing character, Jacob. The second he walks on screen, everything slows down,  and the music gets all sexy with a low bass rumbling. You know this guy is the guy, and he knows it and so does every woman in the bar, and it’s funny. He handles himself so well and confidently you can’t help but chuckle at the game he’s playing. And make no mistake:  flirting is a game to him, a game that can be taught to Cal. Gosling is primarily known for his dark and brooding characters, but with the way he performs here you’d think he was born for comedy.

The best parts weren’t the laughs, though. There are truly heart-wrenching moments on a level not normally seen in romantic comedies. Cal spends some of his nights taking care of Emily’s backyard without her knowledge. He watches his family eat ice cream, and suddenly Emily calls him. He can see her through the window in the kitchen, but she says she’s in the basement in need of help to relight the pilot light. It’s obvious to Cal and the audience she just wanted to hear Cal’s voice, so he plays along. It’s a touching moment and a definite tearjerker.

It’s impressive how well everything is set up. It was like watching a superbly blocked play. Every moment felt purposeful, but natural. Out of all the rom coms I’ve ever seen, this was by far one of the best. Add the fantastic acting, and you have a real winner. It felt a little too long, but that’s a small complaint for an otherwise great night at the movies.