After being unceremoniously dumped by his wife Emily (Julianne Moore), middle-aged Carl Weaver (Steve Carell) is struggling with life back on the singles scene. Whiling away lonely nights at a local bar, Carl's bemoaning of his situation attracts the attention of handsome womaniser Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).
Taking pity on Carl, Jacob offers to turn him into a lean, mean, dating machine, and with a new wardrobe and a fresh attitude Carl manages to pick up livewire teacher Kate (Marisa Tomei). But with Carl's kids and ex-wife still on the scene, things are complicated, and his mentor's attention is soon divided when he unprecedentedly falls head over heels for hard-to-get law student Hannah (Emma Stone).
With a white-hot cast and direction from the duo behind edgy comedy I Love You Phillip Morris, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a cut above your average rom-com. Surely one of Hollywood's most in demand funnymen, Carell excels at playing the loveable schmuck, while man of the moment Gosling is the perfect foil, emanating a laid-back, magnetic charm. The similarly in-vogue Stone is charmingly down to earth, while Moore is always a welcome presence and Kevin Bacon pops up in a fun cameo.
A thoroughly enjoyable blend of sparky banter, big laughs and real moments of poignance, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a class act.
Crazy, Stupid, Love is a Film programme that first aired in 2011 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
