Potato On the Go:
After a long tiring day at work, a movie night is always a good way for me to end that dreaded day. August 11 was no exception and thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures for inviting me to the premiere of Crazy Stupid Love in Power Plant Cinema.
Crazy Stupid Love narrates the story of Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), a fortysomething, straight-laced man living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels.
But handsome lothario Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) comes to the rescue. In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can’t be found at Supercuts or The Gap.
Cal and Emily aren’t the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places: Cal’s 13-year-old son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), is in love with his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), who harbors a major crush of her own…on Cal. And even Jacob’s new-woman-every-night modus operandi is challenged when he tries his best lines on Hannah (Emma Stone), a girl he just can’t seem to get out of his mind—maybe because she’s the first woman he’s ever met who doesn’t think this professional player has any game.
Crazy Stupid Love. Indeed! The movie presents the gory but funny details of people falling in and out of love, like everyone else.
What I like most about Crazy Stupid Love is it's a feel good movie. As said after a toxic day at work, someone will really need to watch a movie like this. It makes our day light and relaxed.
Second, I like Steve Carell's outfit. Haha, please give me the chance to express my appreciation on that. Haha. Well, a few days ago, we had a photo shoot in the office and I really had a hard time getting the right outfit! Had I seen this movie ahead of the shoot, I would have been guided better. Haha. But seriously, the fashion is really good, I never thought his character could be really stylish at that age.
Then I also enjoyed Crazy Stupid Love's brand of comedy. For a change, this is not the kind that can make you fall of the chair but the fun stuff can really elicit good laughter. The lines are witty and the awkward scenes can really make everyone crazy!
Crazy Stupid Love also has an excellent cast! Ryan Gosling as Jacob Palmer is very convincing in his role and the way he makes people laugh is something new and refreshing.
Steve Carell as Cal Weaver is perfect for the role and his journey, transformation and realization is really amusing. Sometimes, even if it's not a funny scene, you can't help but laugh as Steve, though may have goody guy mark, is a natural comedian.
Of course, crowd favorite is Liza Lapira who played the role of Emma Stone's catty bestfriend. The way she delivers her funny sarcastic lines is so effortless. I would like to see her star in her own romantic comedy movie in the future!
And, Julian Moore as Emily, though acts the dramatic and serious part, is still funny but charmed her way out. Marisa Tomei is a runner-up in the scene stealer category. Her role and performance are among the outrageous stuffs that really helped justify that love is indeed crazy... and stupid! =D Lastly, Josh Groban, surprised everyone in his breakthrough performance! =D
The story may be a little usual but the screenplay is able to tell it in a unique way that escalates interest. At first, while watching the film, you may ask where's the compelling connection between the "elements" of the story but the slow revelations weaves them them all. And as we are driven towards the film's surprises, audience will be surely entertained with many funny and reflective moments.
There are also notable symbolisms seeded in the film such as the opening scene (legs and shoes) which showed the irony of people going to dinner, down to the Jessica's lighted face (which shows her AHA moment) and Cal's and Emily's talk at Robbie's school which presented the distance between the divorced couple. I really like film makers who are able to inject cinematic executions even though a film's story is simple. The film also scored high in musical score as it helped drive the emotion in the film, wardrobe and set design (except for the resolution part).
As we laughed at what the characters did for love, we were also also made to realize the important lessons in love and life. "Because when you find the one, you never give up" is the line that strike me the most. And I believe the audience won't forget this as they leave the cinema.
The film could really have been really flawless but I did not like the resolution part (okay, need to give a little spoiler, the graduation). I know the lines delivered during that scene are needed but I somehow think that there's a better way of doing this. Perhaps they could have thought of a Parent Teacher Association meeting, or a guidance counseling session or a Family Day, but definitely not a graduation. It's totally off and unrealistic.
Then I also like how the story was told but I just wanted a little more spice to drive up more excitement and keep the energy from going low. But well, I guess those scenes are needed to show how Cal can be lonely despite the many excitements in his life.
Crazy Stupid Love is a well crafted romantic comedy movie that provides us with valuable life's lessons that can help us in the way we look at and do our part for our family and loved ones. For love, we can really be crazy and stupid, that's part of life's process! =)
From a scale of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving Crazy Stupid Love a 7 1/2. From Warner Bros. Pictures, Crazy Stupid Love opens in theaters on August 17.
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