A couple of things about Steve Carell‘s new romantic comedy, “Crazy Stupid Love.” First, singer Josh Groban makes his film debut as the sleazy, nerdy lawyer who’s dating Emma Stone‘s character. It can’t be a coincidence that Groban records for Warner Music and this is a Warner movie, even though the two companies are severed. Still, Groban is very good. Now a new audience will see him not just as a powerful singer but in a new realm. Maybe he’s heading down Justin Timberlake‘s path.
Second, Ryan Gosling, so good an actor in “Half Nelson,” “Lars and the Real Girl,” “Blue Valentine,” and the upcoming “Drive,” is used as a sex symbol showing off his well sculpted physique. I don’t understand– we used to go to the same gym! My results were quite, uh, different. As Emma Stone exclaims when Gosling removes his shirt, he must have been Photoshopped!
Anyway, the movie is uneven but funny and entertaining thanks to a stellar cast including long ago “As the World Turns” castmates Julianne Moore and Marisa Tomei, plus a woefully underused Kevin Bacon. (Note to SAG: Kevin Bacon should get the Lifetime Achievement Award next year.) “Crazy Stupid Love,” unusually, has two directors–Glenn Ficara and John Requa–which may explain the schizo tones. The movie also marks the producing debut of Vance DeGeneres, brother of Ellen.
Formula comedy? Yes, but this the entertainment that big studios do well. This is a movie for adults, without question. We should be grateful Warner Bros. made it and put it out this summer. And WARNING there is a big plot twist toward the end that makes “As the World Turns” look tame. But it works. Just don’t tell anyone what it is after you’ve seen it.