Crazy, Stupid, Love Review

Crazy, Stupid, Love Review

Crazy, Stupid, Love. The title says it all. Human beings do crazy things, human beings make stupid choices, but mostly human beings do crazy and stupid things for love. The movie is briliantly clever, and shrewd in its conception. If you can forgive the implausible coincidences that pop up in the movie you will have one heck of an enjoyable experience.

The movie centers around Cal, played by Steve Carell. Cal has just been told by his wife that she wants a divorce, and that she has been cheating on him. Cal is in shock. He literally cannot comprehend that the woman he loves, the only woman he has ever loved, not only cheated on him, but wants him gone. Carell does a magnificent job of portraying Cal, especially in the early moments when he is paralyzed by shock.

His shock takes him to a bar, the kind of bar that only exists in never never land. Over flowing with beautiful women who are just dying to go home with a stranger. Of course Cal doesn't pay these women any attention, except to feebly try and vent, to desperately confide in anyone who will listen. It is here that he meets Jacob, a slick, yet successful, womanizer who takes a different woman home every night, because he can. Jacob pities Cal, and decides to give him an Oprah style makeover. This makeover leads to increased confidence, and much more meaningless sex for Cal.  The meaningless sex is Cal's coping mechanism, if he can't love the one he wants, he must love the one he is with.

In addition to balancing the Cal/Jacob storyline, the movie also juggles a story involving Cal's 13 year old son, and the object of his attention, their babysitter.  Did I mention that the babysitter has a dangerous crush on Cal? Cal's son is a true romantic who throws words like "soul-mate" and "true love" not knowing that these words are dangerous, even more dangerous when they are real.

The third ball in this juggling act is the story of Hannah, played by Emma Stone. Hanna is a young law student who believes her boyfriend will propose any day, and who is devastated when he pump fakes her. Of course Hannah, walks into the bar where Cal and Jacob now cruise. Jacob takes her home, and because the movie is PG-13 no sex is had. There is however a deep connection made that alters Jacobs preconceptions about the meaning of love, and for him is a "game changer."

The movie juggernauts its way towards a climax that can only be described as predictably unpredictable. In other words you unexpectedly get what you expect. Yes the chaos that erupts in this moment is a bit like watching an episode of Jerry Springer, but it is still hilarious, and will leave you laughing at the thought of it well after the credits roll.

In 1998 I praised a movie called Playing By Heart, a lovely if not contrived movie about love in its many forms, and phases. Like Playing By Heart, Crazy Stupid Love, is a lovely, if not contrived story about love in its many forms. Many of the same elements are at play here in Crazy, Stupid, Love. And while both films are very different, both films try to shed light on the subject of just why love makes us crazy and stupid. Of course this is an unsolvable riddle with no answer. Anyone who says otherwise is just fooling themselves. All you can do is accept that life is unpredictable, so just enjoy the ride. Be crazy, be stupid, and above all things love.

Summer Movie Preview Part 3 July 2011

I can't believe June has already come and gone, and its already time for me to write another monthly preview article.  There are a lot of great movies coming up this month, and July is typically the last big month of summer movies. Here is what to expect in July.

Larry Crowne

Larry Crowne is the small little movie that has been placed on 4th of July weekend for two reasons. The first is the high quality star power of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The second is purely out of the desire to draw in those theater goers who don't care about Transformers. Weather it is a good movie or not remains to be seen, but I guarantee the audience for this and the audience for Transformers will look completely different.


Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses to me looks like the next big comedy. It has a beyond stellar cast, and looks absolutely like the funniest movie of the summer (sorry Bridesmaids). The basic premise is the same as strangers on a train, with each friend taking a different boss to eliminate. The movie looks flat out hysterical, and between Kevin Spacey doing his thing, Colin Farrell looking down right hysterical, and Jennifer Anniston doing that thing to the banana, I'm sold.

Zoo Keeper

I don't exactly know what to say about this movie.  It has to be funny, because it certainly isn't new. From the trailer it certainly looks like another sub standard Dr. Doolittle clone.  I like Kevin James, he is a very funny physical comedian, but he continuously makes bad choices for films. I hope it is funny, and I hope that it surprises me, but I am not holding my breath.

Winnie The Pooh

It is classic Winnie The Pooh in all his hand drawn glory. This is a new story, with all our favorite characters. Just like Curious George a few years ago, this movie chose to stick to the traditional animation, and I love it. This type of animation has become so scarce that when it does appear, you are instantly nostalgic for bygone eras. I don't think there is there anyone who won't immediately fall in love with this movie by the end of the trailer, watch it and you will see what I mean.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Literally a decade in the making, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the conclusion of the story that has captured everyones attention for the past 10 years. It is hard to believe that it is all coming to an end. I for one never imagined that I would be sitting here 10 years later, eagerly anticipating the final chapter. But I am, and quite honestly the series has only gotten more exciting, more dark, and more amazing with time. If you were 11 when the first movie came out you are now 21, a full grown adult.  There are very few film series that last that long, there are even fewer that define a generation.  Harry Potter is a special collection of films that transcends all media, and has in itself become culture.

Captain America

Call me a pessimist, or a skeptic, but I am not impressed by this movie. To me everything about this movie, from the casting, to the set design, even the costume are all signs that this is not a good movie. Maybe it has a good director? Ooops nope, if the name Joe Johnson doesn't ring a bell maybe this will help. Johnson was the director of such classics as Jumanji, Jurassic Park 3, The Pagemaster, and oh lets not forget The Wolfman (2010). If that isn't screaming at you not to trust this movie, I don't know what else to tell you. I know it is summer and Marvel has yet to let us down, but seriously folks I said it here first, this movie looks like first rate garbage. Be officially warned.


Crazy Stupid Love

This movie looks brilliant.  It looks funny, tragic, and above all things very real. Every once in a while a comedy can move you more than any drama, and Crazy Stupid Love certainly looks to fit that mold. I don't know about you, but this trailer makes the movie look like vintage James L. Brooks.  Movies like As Good as it Gets, Broadcast News, and Terms of Endearment, are all perfect examples of real movies. If Crazy Stupid Love is anywhere near as good as those classics we are in for a treat.

The Smurfs

Sorry but this is beyond terrible, its just depressing. Hey parents this is what you get for taking your kids to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, Yogi Bear, and all the other horrible bastardized versions of out beloved childhood cartoons. I blame you, it is your fault, now do us all a favor and don't take your kids to see this. Let the industry know that you refuse to allow them to rape your childhood any longer, by not taking your kids to this movie.

Cowboys & Aliens

What can you say about one of the coolest ideas for a movie ever. Cowboys & Aliens is a perfect example of how to take a traditional western and flip it on its ear.  Jon Favreau, has specifically designed the movie to be one part John Ford, and one part Steven Spielberg. It's an interesting combination to say the least, but those are two magnificent directors to model a movie after.  They both have an amazing visual style, and make nothing but beautiful movies.  I am looking forward to this movie, and hope it delivers on all that it promises.