I know, I know, my reviews of films are always late. Sometimes I see a movie over the weekend, and I just want to talk about it, and I don’t care if it’s late in coming. So, I saw Crazy, Stupid, Love yesterday and… it wasn’t that good. Would you like the basic no-spoiler gist? Julianne Moore’s character and Steve Carell’s character are married, and in the first scene in the movie, they split up. Steve is distraught, and he starts hanging out in what must be the only cool bar in town, where all of the beautiful women in the city hang out, but only long enough to spend one night with the bar’s only young, handsome regular, Ryan Gosling. Gosling takes Steve under his wing, gives him a Cinder-fella makeover and teaches Steve how to pick up women. Chaos ensues. Early on, Gosling meets Emma Stone, and she refuses his advances (because she’s in a relationship with a completely nerdy and scene-stealing Josh Groban), but then Emma comes around and Emma and Ryan end up spending the night together… and then chaos ensues.
There were some good parts, and yes, I was actually “surprised” by the “twist”. But overall, I feel like they wasted a lot of good talent, and I really think the screenplay could have been a lot better. It was like some hack wrote a completely average and boring romantic-comedy screenplay, then someone talented came in and started rewriting some of the scenes, and then the talented guy got bored. Some of the scenes were so great, I wish the entire film had been so awesome. But it wasn’t.
The best part? Ryan Gosling, without a doubt. He LOOKED amazing and he was just… this character was like The Fantasy Man. I’m not talking about the fantasy of the good guy who will be a great husband and father. I’m talking about the fantasy of the obscenely good-looking dude who comes on to you at the bar and takes you home and you have dirty, mind-blowing sex and that’s it. Girls need that too, and it’s as much of a fantasy as the other “marriage and babies” fantasy too. Gosling got the best suits, and when he took off his gear, he just looked… like heaven. He had ridiculous chemistry with both Emma and Steve too.
The worst part? Julianne Moore. It’s become a shtick for her at this point, playing these harried, neurotic wives and mothers, and beyond Julianne’s kind of sleep-walking performance, her character just sucked. Another bad part was the too-”precious”-ness of Steve and Julianne’s 13-year-old son. His story line involved him being in love with a 17-year-old girl, and when the girl rebuffed his advances, he started stalking her. It was creepy, not cute. The same could be said of Carell’s character too – there were a couple of times where the character was just kind of gross and creepy. Rom-com FAIL.
Oh, and did you know that The Bacon is in this movie? He is. He looked great, and I liked seeing him do a smaller little part, but I still have residual warmth for him because of X-Men: First Class.
My verdict: RENT it, but only for The Gosdong. It’s worth viewing for his scenes alone. Just fast-forward through all of the other crap.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Sorry but I dont’ dig Goslings body. It looks too much those bodybuilders who use steroids and his chest is completely waxed. Not sexy at all. Too taned too.
Leaner is better.
Ryan Gosling’s suit on the pix hurts my eyes
… the “twist” wouldn’t be a raffle to have sex with the Gosdong would it?
*crosses fingers*
I saw it yesterday too….and I was disappointed. And you’re right…it was like there were parts of the movie that were GREAT and then the next scene it felt like they just gave up.
Wow, I’m surprised you didn’t like it. Everyone I’ve talked to that has seen it, has loved it.
I actually didn’t really want to see it, but people said it was great.
I liked Julianne in Blindness and Children of Men. Both very good movies.
It’s was just ok. A standard romcom that could have been better than it was.
What the hell is Ryan wearing? This is something David Arquette would wear.
Gosling is good looking; but I don’t get the excitement with the media for him. His films don’t make money and he is a bit a a fame whore, which is understandable. Rugged guys with a bit of imperfection and low key are more attractive, like Bradley Cooper. Don’t know why, but I really like him.
Bellaluna: THANK YOU!! I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person on earth who saw/liked the film Blindness. I read the book and adored it, so when I saw the trailer and realized they were making a movie with Julianne Moore as the lead, I freaked out with joy right there in the theater. I don’t know if you read the book, but the film follows it almost exactly and Julianne nails the role.
You articulated my thoughts about the movie perfectly! I’m NOT a romcom girl and from the previews this looked like it would be better than your average romcom but….it just wasn’t. They showed all the funny parts in the previews. And that little bit at the end with the baby sitter and the 13 year old was entirely inappropriate, IMO. (and I’m not a fuddy duddy, I’ve had more than my fair share of one night stands, lol.) Josh Groban was hilarious though! I love that guy. And I am not a huge Ryan Gosling fan but I LOVED his character and dear god he is HOT. Like so hot it pains me. In a good way.
I saw the movie today. It is ok. Some great scenes with some average scenes. I was expecting more from Julianna’s character since she is a great actress.
But the Gosdong was worth it, :). Yes, he does have an excellent chemistry with Emma Stone, really cute together.
ps: Ahhhhh, Kevin Bacon was on it too!
For some reason, I find Ryan Gosling really creepy. Like strange neighbor that peeps you creepy. I don’t know why. I’ve only seen him in one movie, just can’t sit thru anything he’s in. Literally makes me antsy.
I have no interest in this – I can’t tell the Ryans apart – both boring and blah to me SO LETS GO STRAIGHT TO THE WOMEN AND THEIR OUTFITS…
Julianne is a beautiful woman, unless she is pregnant there is no excuse for that sack she is wearing.
Emma’s make up is way too harsh and over the top.
What were they thinking???
Ryan Gosling is unbelievably sexy and he always has great chemistry with his leading ladies. In contrast, I don’t think Christian Bale has ever had chemistry with any of his love interests. He’s a great actor, but when it comes to women (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Katie Holmes, Kate Beckinsale, Winona Ryder etc.) He just never connects with any of them. Whereas, Ryan Gosling could have chemistry with a house plant. And his leading ladies all seem to adore him in real life as well.
Faye – I haven’t read the book, but I really did enjoy the movie, and the actors in it. I think it was one of those “weird” movies, one you have to watch more than once. I’ve seen it several times, and I tend to notice different things each time. It’s violent, but honest. And Julianne is just so…strong. Her character won’t back down, does what she needs to, and is very, very identifiable.
I recently decided Ryan Gosling is both very hot and very talented but…why does he have such a weird accent? Isn’t he Canadian? He always sounds like he is in a high school musical of Guys and Dolls. He has this weird, affected tough guy accent that I don’t get.
I like Steve Carell, but as he’s gotten older, his face looks slightly like that of a wooden marionette — tan, immobile, big eyes, and I therefore find him very creepy in romantic situations on TV/in film.
There are a few hints in the movie that Gosling’s character might be Jewish. It would be the second time he’s played a Jewish character (the first being a lot darker). No matter, just a movie trivia thing.
to each his own, I suppose. I loved every single minute of it.
“Emphasis on stupid”
I guess any movie with Steve Carell in it is going to emphasis the stupid.
“emphasis the stupid”
OMG. I feel, I feel….what’s the word I’m looking for?
I saw it today and thought it was very uneven-there were scenes that were funny and clever and then scenes that were very meh. I completely agree with Kaiser about the storyline with the 13 year old and his crush on the babysitter-it was annoying and not cute. His character in general was irritating-I’m not a fan of precocious kids in movies. I thought Julianne Moore was fine, although she didn’t have alot to work with in terms of her role. All of the actors did the best they could with what they were given. Ryan Gosling’s character was definitely the most entertaining. I thought the early scenes with him and Steve Carrell were the most enjoyable. Overall, I’d say it was pleasantly entertaining, two and a half star movie.
We were planning on seeing this this weekend but didn’t get around to it. I’ve read nothing but stellar reviews of it.
I like his suit, actually.
Really? Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have chemìstry? I cringed so much from their scenes in the trailer, I decided not to watch this movie. Well, maybe I give it a try now, but to me they look ridiculously incompatible.
I only want to see it for Josh Groban.
WHY would Josh Groban go into acting too?
He is an actual well trained singer.
Can’t people stick to the ONE proffesion they are truly good at and master it?
@ Faye and Original Bellaluna:
Blindness is a good movie — many IMDb posters trash it for (apparently) wrong reasons. The movie’s screenplay follows the book almost exactly, like Faye said. And all the actors are fantastic in it — especially Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.
The one thing I didn’t like was the soundtrack, too “happy” for the tone of the movie but maybe that was what Fernando Meirelles (the director) wanted: a bleak story contrasting with a weirdly cheerful music.
On topic: I’d watch the movie for Steve Carell but considering the review…and the fact I really can’t stand Gosling, I think I’ll pass on this one.
I saw this movie over the weekend & I enjoyed it . . .I was entertained thru out the film although some parts were, of course better, than others. Ryan Gosling did everything he was supposed to do with this role – including stirring up the cougars . . .he was perfect –
Life really is “to each his own” isn’t it? I have enjoyed (almost) every movie Steve Carrell has been in, but I cannot STAND “The Office”. Weird, huh?
I really liked the movie, with the exception of the 13-year old son’s storyline…I think if it was completely wiped out, it wouldn’t have taken away from the movie.
Every time Ryan Gosling was in the bar with those sexy eyes and yummy lips, I wish I were in the bar, too, and he was walking my way. Love him.
Love Ryan Gosling, best part of the movie, worth seeing the movie just for him.
I agree the 13-year old son storyline was creepy and stupid.
I’m not drawn to this movie because of Ryan’s character. I’m just not used to seeing him as a pretty boy. I like him as the rugged, dirty, hot dude in his movies.
Don’t watch romantic comedies.
@Denise
You call Ryan Gosling a fame whore? Are you serious? He is the exact opposite!
Totally saw the twist. They say early in the film they’ve been married for 25 years, and yet the only kids hanging around are 13 and younger. Why wait 12 years to have them?
Eve, I didn’t notice that about the music. I’ll pay attention to it more when I watch the movie again.
Bellaluna, yeah there is a lot going on there, it’s definitely a movie that you have to see more than once to get to all the layers. I would recommend the book, it’s one of my favorites, and Jose Saramago is my favorite author.
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