Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Crazy, Stupid, Love.
2011
****
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, John Carroll Lynch, Analeigh Tipton, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Jonah Bobo

A delightfully fresh, enjoyably sweet, and consistently funny drama comedy about the complicated nature of love. Cal and Emily are high school sweethearts whose 25-year marriage is on the rocks. Jacob is a suave ladies' man whose emotions come into play when he meets a sassy lawyer named Hannah. In the meanwhile, Cal and Emily's 13-year-old son Robbie and the family's 17-year-old babysitter Jessica deal with their respective romantic delusions. These multiple story strands twist and turn, and eventually come together. If you're a romantic, you'll find the wrap-up clever. If you're a cynic, you'll find it contrived. The big emotional speech in the end is pure Hollywood fantasy, though. Nevertheless, the performances are lovely and lively.