Watch Crazy, Stupid, Love
- PG-13
- 2011
- 1 hr 58 min
-
7.4 (529,791)
Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy-drama from 2011 directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The movie follows Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), a middle-aged man whose wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), asks him for a divorce. Devastated by the news, Cal starts going to a bar every night to drown his sorrows. There he meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a handsome and charming young man who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a ladies' man. As Cal transforms his appearance and his approach to women, he starts to enjoy his newly single life. But his heart still belongs to Emily, and he can't get her out of his head. Meanwhile, Emily is having her own affair with a co-worker, David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon), and feels guilty about it. She also still has feelings for Cal but doesn't know how to fix their broken relationship. The plot of Crazy, Stupid, Love creates multiple storylines and characters that intersect and intertwine. Alongside Cal and Emily's struggles, we also see the romantic blossoming between Jacob and Hannah (Emma Stone), a young woman that he meets at the bar. Hannah is initially skeptical of Jacob's pick-up lines but eventually falls for his charms. However, their relationship faces obstacles that threaten to tear them apart. The movie's tone switches smoothly between comedy and drama, delivering both heartfelt moments and hilarious scenes. The script is witty and clever, bringing fresh ideas to familiar rom-com tropes. The ensemble cast, consisting of well-established actors and rising stars, delivers outstanding performances. Steve Carell, in particular, shines as Cal, portraying the character's vulnerability and humor with skill and nuance. Despite its title, Crazy, Stupid, Love avoids the cliches of traditional romantic comedies. It explores the complexities and challenges of love in all its forms, including infatuation, passion, betrayal, and forgiveness. It also addresses themes of middle-age crises, familial relationships, and self-discovery. The movie's visual style emphasizes the contrast between Cal and Jacob's worlds, using warm colors and low light for Cal's mundane life and cool tones and slick cinematography for Jacob's stylish and seductive scenes. The soundtrack features catchy pop songs that add energy and fun to the movie. Overall, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a smart and engaging romantic comedy-drama that offers something different from the genre's usual cliches. The movie's themes, performances, and humor make it a satisfying and entertaining watch for audiences of all ages and tastes.