Crazy, Stupid, Love.

          So far on this blog I think it's safe to say that I have reviewed a fair amount of romantic comedies, especially lately. But then again, I think that term is thrown around too loosely sometimes, or used too technically. I've done it myself. For example, when you talk about Wedding Crashers are you saying its a comedy or a romantic comedy. My bet is most people say comedy. I do, but if you wanted to get technical you should label it the latter. Any who, my point is that when the term romantic comedy is used, most people expect some cheap, cheesy, gimmicky movie starring Hugh Grant or Katherine Heigl, that in all honesty is probably a chick flick. However, every now and then a movie comes along that fits the title of its genre, but does not go by its specifications. Crazy, Stupid, Love is one of those.
           Crazy, Stupid, Love is about....well...love. DUH! It's about first loves, lost loves, new loves, and everything in between. This movie follows many different people that all become connected in some way, but mainly around Cal and Emily Weaver, played by Steve Carell (Despicable Me) and Julianne Moore (Chloe). They're married high school sweet hearts and the movie opens on them at dinner. It's quite obvious the two have fell in a rut, but no more than a couple minutes into the movie does Emily drop a bombshell. She wants a divorce and has slept with a coworker named David Lindhagen, played by Kevin Bacon (X-Men: First Class).
          At this point Cal is quite depressed as expected, and begins going to the same bar every night where he drinks heavily and complains about his life. Here he meets womanizing, smooth talking, playboy Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling of All Good Things) who vows to take Cal under his wing and show him how to pick up women and get him over his ex-wife. All the while, Jacob had his advances spurned just a tad earlier in the film by an attractive young woman named Hannah (Emma Stone of Easy A) who seemed to have really caught his eye. From here we watch as Jacob helps transform and revitalize Cal into a new found image and persona. But through it all Cal still suffers as he goes through his divorce and deals with not only his longing love for Emily, but his son's love issues as well.
          Though this story focuses centrally around Cal and Emily and their relationship, everyone else involved has their own love and relationship to figure out too. It's how all of these people intertwine with each other and connect in some way that makes this story so good. It's really quite clever how the writers were able to put it all together and that just adds onto how funny the movie is. The trailer is loaded with laughs, but those aren't the only ones in there. Steve Carell is hilarious as usual and Ryan Gosling portrays his character perfectly. It's an all around great effort by a superb ensemble cast and everyone gets in on the laughs. Though my favorite line might be one by Cal midway through the movie, where right as you think the movie is falling into a gimmicky cliche, he drops a line that totally calls the movie on it and makes fun of itself; and as you all know I love when a film is able to do that.
           In reference to the ensemble cast, I do not want to leave out Marisa Tomei (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Kevin Bacon's characters. Though not seen much, they both make the most out their short screen time. Tomei is hysterical and perfect as a slightly crazy hookup of Cal's that comes back to haunt him, and Bacon is funny as Emily's moving to fast boyfriend who is quite frankly, just a douche.
          Overall, this movie had everything one good ask for. It appeals to a mass audience and both genders. It's funny, touching, clever, and provides a few unexpected twists to keep the viewer quite entertained. Plus, it's not overly long with running time of 1 hour and 58 minutes.
           I give this movie a thumbs up and 3.5 out of 4 stars. If you haven't seen it, do so. It's a great date movie. If you have seen it, see it again. Heck, I'll probably go buy it. As you could guess this movie is out on DVD and Blu-Ray and is also available at your local Redbox. Enjoy!

Editor's Note:  As I said in my previous post from this point until the Oscars I will be more than likely only posting reviews of Best Picture nominated films, though who knows something else could slip in. My next review will be on the nominated Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.

The Lincoln Lawyer

            As I sat down to watch "The Lincoln Lawyer" I was excited as I had heard pretty much only good things. However, from what I had seen trailer wise, I couldn't help but be a bit skeptical. Outside of its one peculiar trait of the guy operates his practice from the back seat of his Lincoln, it was hard to grasp how this movie is going to separate itself from other lawyer/courtroom dramas. I'm happy to say however that this movie offers much more than I expected.
           "The Lincoln Lawyer" follows Mick Haller (McConaughey), a defense attorney in Los Angeles who operates his practice from the back of his Lincoln Town Car while being driven around town to his various court appointments. Haller epitomizes your typical slime ball defense lawyer. He'll take on any client regardless of what they've done and try to get them off, all while trying to make as much money as possible. Doing this does not always mean going about things in a honorable way either. Things begin to change however when Haller takes Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippee) as a client. Roulet is a rich realtor who is being accused of rape. Roulet swears he didn't do it of course, but Mick finds things are much more complicated than they seem as he discovers what truly happened, all while trying to defend Roulet.
           This film is based off of a book of the same name by Michael Connelly. Though I have not read the book, I hear that it is very good and the movie actually follows along pretty close with it. Don't be fooled by the title either. As I mentioned above, though you see Mick Haller riding around in his town car quite enough, the story is far less about that peculiar oddity than the complexity of the client and problems Haller has to deal with. And when I say complexity I mean it.
             Like most people at any movie I found myself taking guesses as what was going to happen next or what the outcome of certain things in the movie would be. I wasn't even close. This story may give you a predictable answer here, but will throw two curveballs to make up for it and that's what really pulled me into this movie. The movie's ending, though not bad doesn't live up to the great back and forth and mystery given to us by the rest of the plot, which is unfortunate. With a more solid ending that falls better line by the good writing of the heart of the story and I think this film has the potential to be very very good.
              I do want to give Matthew McConaughey credit though for playing this role quite well. He was a good choice to play this cocky, risky, no cares at all character. Plus, it was nice to see him playing something other than some stupid character in a chessy rom-com. He's a decent actor when he can play some more legitimate roles. As for the supporting cast, Ryan Phillippe is very good at playing the privileged and creepy Roulet. Reminded me a lot of his character in "Cruel Intentions" only much creepier and devious. Marisa Tomei was great as usual as she played Assistant DA Maggie McPherson. Also, William H. Macy is hilarious as haggard looking PI Frank Levin.
             Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It had its couple predictable moments, but keeps the viewer guessing and most importantly; entertained. I give this movie 3 out of 4 stars and a thumbs up. This movie is available on Xfinity onDemand, Netflix, and at your local Redbox. Enjoy!

Editor's Note: The next movie I will review is going to be Hall Pass starring Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, and Jenna Fischer