Crazy Stupid Love: Revive Your Inner Romantic

Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore predictably shine as they lead an impressive ensemble cast in Crazy Stupid Love.  The film re-examines the well worn tale of a mid-life and mid-married-life crisis when Emily (Moore) takes a date night as an opportunity to ask hubby Cal (Carell) for a divorce.  The request sends Cal's middle class life into a tailspin until he meets his new best friend Jacob (Gosling) and learns to reinvent himself as a ladies man.

While the crisis at the centre of this film might be old hat to movie audiences, Crazy Stupid Love looks at romance, love and heartbreak with new eyes. Analeigh Timpton and veteran child actor Jonah Bobo deserve special mention as they steal scenes from their A-list co-stars with regularity.  Marisa Tomei is another top shelf talent who lends her strengths to an over-the-top supporting role.  Her scenes might be the funniest in a fairly funny film.  Kevin Bacon reminds us why it's such a treat to seem him on screen.

The film is perfectly paced.  Like the best of its genre, Crazy Stupid Love has something to say and it says it so well with polished dialog, a rich plot and comedic elements that give a bit more than a wink and nod to the best of Shakespearean comedy.

At a loss for what to watch at the cinemas this weekend?  Crazy Stupid Love won't disappoint.