Dane Cook is just not funny, at least he isn't funny here. I think he has some potential. He was fine in Mr. Brooks, and he looks to be fine in Dan in Real Life. As a leading man, well, let's just say that he isn't ready for it. He is betrayed by a weak script that mistakes crassness for comedy and fails to inject any heart. On the plus side, Jessica Alba looks more at home here than she did in Fantastic Four, but that may have more to do with the lack of blonde hair and blue eyes here. Completing the troika is Dan Fogler who handled himself well as the comedic sidekick. He has some of the more humorous lines, and comes out mostly unscathed.
Bottom line. This is not an awful movie, but it is really not all that good. The high concept was not well thought out, the script has no substance, and the lead performance is flat and humorless. I think that about sums it up. Alba is fine, she is not the best actress but she always looks good. This fails to live up to the high bar set by R-rated comedies earlier this year (Knocked Up and Superbad).
Not Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Donna
I couldn't agree more. This movie was HORRIBLE and nothing like the commercials. Guess I missed the earlier commercials you meantioned. I only saw the warm, fuzzy ones! Horribly distasteful movie. I'm sure the only ones who enjoyed it were the 20 or so 15 year olds sitting in front of me that shouldn't have been there! :o(
2 - Tristan
I cannot believe how bad some of the reviews have been for this. What are some of you smoking? This was pretty darn funny. I've never heard of the lead character (Dane Cook) so I wasn't expecting this to be great but there sure were many funny 1 liners in this flick. I was very suprised. Sure it was a bit crass but some of that makes it quite humorous. I'm a big fan of flicks like Office Space, Napolean Dynamite and Sideways and this type of humor was along the same lines. It just seems that some people just don't "get it".
3 - Chris Beaumont
I "got it," I just didn't like it. Chuck isn't anywhere near the league of the three movies you named. Sure, I chuckled a couple of times, but it was not nearly enough to save this or make it a good movie.
Perhaps it isn't a case of what was I smoking but what should I have been smoking.
4 - Tristan
Well, I never see movies based on real movie critic's comments anyways. If I did, I would never make it to the theatre because many times they are way off as I believe you are here. However, it's all a matter of opinion. It was funny that you took the time out to answer/dispute my comments as they didn't align with yours. There would be no interesting movies out there if everyone thought the same... perhaps you do need to smoke out a little to chill and find some humor in life/movies.
5 - Chris Beaumont
Not trying to dispute your comments. Every movie has its fans, and I have been known to like some pretty lousy movies (for example I like Ultraviolet).
If you like it, I'm happy for you, no problems. I guess my issue would have to be the accusation that those who didn't like the movie "didn't get it." I have never liked that argument.
When it comes down to it, it is a matter of opinion. I love reading other reviews, but, like you, make up my own mind when I see it. I see tons of movies, 3-5 a week theatrically on a regular basis.
Anyway, no arguments, but since I get the comments mailed to me right away, I will occasionally respond to them.
Thanks for commenting, and I hope you'll check out some of my other reviews! :)
6 - Michelle
does anyone know the song that plays when he decides to "set her free" at the end. The lyrics say something like "when you get through what you're going through..... do everything that you want to do"
Please, I am desperate
Thanks
7 - john
i wanna know the song for setting her free aswell ive been trying to find out!!!!
8 - Josh
The song is 'Shut Me Out' by Aidan Hawken.
9 - soph
that song you are looking for is : Shut me out- Aiden Hawken