"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is Hilarious, Smart, Delightful

Being a huge fan of The Office, I was quite skeptical of Steve Carell leaving the show in order to pursue a career solely in film.  My doubtfulness in future success for the actor grew when I first saw a trailer for Crazy, Stupid, Love during a commercial break that took place around the time of Carell's final episode.  However, after the buzz about such a terrific cast and a good story-line, I figured I would check it out even though it has been out for over a month (my apologies).  

The movie has everything the title suggests.  The characters get a little crazy.  They make stupid decisions, even though, overall, it is a smart movie.  And, obviously, love flourishes.  Crazy, Stupid, Love starts off with Julianne Moore's character, Emily Weaver, stating that she wants a divorce from her husband, Cal, played by, who I guess now has proven he can remain hilarious, Steve Carell.  Cal must now get an apartment on his own, which is quite embarrassing for him to show his children.  He is left with no friends because they all side with Emily, and he finds himself alone at a bar quite frequently.  In comes the man who steals the movie: Ryan Gosling.  He plays the rich, well-dressed, ladies' man known as Jacob Palmer who offers to change Cal's entire image so he can get over Emily and quit discussing the man she cheated on him with, David Lindhagen (a tolerable Kevin Bacon after the dreadful X-Men: First Class).  Cue the hysterics!

The process of Cal's transformation is hilarious and watching him and Jacob interact with women in the bar is downright cool.  Obviously, as the title suggests, it's all about love and Cal doesn't get love from the random chicks he meets out on a Friday night.  So, the story of him trying to win back his wife becomes the focal point.  However, Jacob falling for Emma Stone's character, Hannah, may in fact trump the true main characters' love story.  Emma Stone is as lovely as ever, by the way.  Even the kids in the movie, Cal's teenage son, Robbie, played by Jonah Bobo who will certainly get a few phone calls after his performance, and the babysitter he is in love with, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), are highly entertaining to watch.

It may seem as if Crazy, Stupid, Love is just your average love story, but unlike the typical romantic comedies, this film truly has heart and a wonderful message.  There is also a huge twist that I didn't see coming at all.  I like to say that I normally notice one from a mile away, but I surely wasn't expecting one in a rom-com.  The characters, nevertheless, are the best part about the film.  Since it has been out for a pretty long period of time, if you haven't seen Crazy, Stupid, Love go see it now.  You'd be crazy and stupid not to.