ViewGuide

Created Mar 10, 2008 11:59PM PST • Edited Mar 11, 2008 12:14AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Screenwriter Peter Hedges (About a Boy) also takes the director’s helm in this touching family filled comedy headlined by the multitalented Steve Carell (Evan Almighty, The Office television series).

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Oscar® winner Juliette Binoche (The English Patient, Chocolat) plays Marie, an extraordinary woman who comes into Dan’s life as he travels to his parents’ house for an annual family vacation. The chemistry between Carell and Binoche works well while anchoring the romantic elements of the film. Comedian extraordinaire Dane Cook (Employee of the Month”, Good Luck Chuck) plays Dan’s brother Mitch while Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz play Dan’s other brother, Clay. Their hilarious song collaboration “Ruthie Pigface Draper” is a great testament to how all the entire supporting cast contributes so much into the film.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

   Other family members, including Eileen, played by recent Oscar nominee Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone), who could’ve had a bigger part, but fill her role well among the eclectic Burns family. The talented Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada) also plays a key role in the romantic elements of the film.

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Great music, mostly from Sondre Lerche, compliments a low stress storyline where the only real antagonists to Dan are himself…and maybe the local cop.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

    Some sexual references, but they’re subtle (e.g. Dan’s plumbing) and most young viewers won’t pick up on them.

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

    Great comedy tempered with pain and sadness that’s naturally original enough so audiences don’t anticipate the laughs.

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0