DAN IN REAL LIFE follows the life of a newspaper columnist duringa few days in his life when he takes his three daughters (two of them teenagers) for a family reunion at his parent's house. He meets a woman (JUliette Bincoche) at a book store and instantly falls for her. He soon discovers she is girlfirend of one of his brothers (Dane Cook). He tries to fight his feelings while she discovers Dan means more to her than she ever thought. DAN IN REAL LIFE has some good family dynamics, comedy, and explores love. The film proves Binoche can do comedy and Steve Carell is one of the new comedy stars in recent years. It is a fun film and the ending moved me.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The 11 deleted scenes (with optional audio commentary by director Peter Hedges) were mostly cut for time, but I do wish more of the talent show was left in the little addition in the last deleted scene. The Outtakes and the easter egg showing the improv work of Steve Carrel during the making of the film are outrightly funny. JUST LIKE FAMILY: THE MAKING OF DAN IN REAL LIFE features interviews with cast and crew (The director and actors improved on the original script), filming at the house in the film and the prep work the actors did to be like a family, and behind-the-scenes footage that shows more fun on the set between and during takes. HANDMADE MUSIC: CREATING THE MUSIC SCORE focuses on composer Sondre Lerche while the aduio commentary for the film by director Peter Hedges takes us into the production of the film in his own words.

FINAL ANALYSIS: DAN IN REAL LIFE is a charming comedy. It points out love is often messy. The deleted scenes and outtakes are the choice extras to watch.

this DVD review is (c)3-5-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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