Dan In Real Life (PG-13) Grade: B

n choosing his roles, Steve Carell can apparently do no wrong. "The Daily Show" alumnus struck gold with "The 40 Year Old Virgin," has worked alongside legendary comedians Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell and is currently changing the television landscape with "The Office." His most recent role is yet another stitch in a tapestry of memorable characters.\nDan (Carell) is a widower, father of three girls and newspaper self-help columnist who doesn't bother to follow his own advice. In fatherly respects, Dan is Danny Tanner of "Full House" brought to the big screen, or even a watered-down version of Michael Bluth from "Arrested Development." The film thrusts us into Dan's extended family, and thus it gives a television-show atmosphere. \nLuckily, "Dan in Real Life" features a concoction of comedic television vets, including stand-up extraordinaire Dane Cook, "Frasier" dad John Mahoney and the always motherly Dianne Wiest, as they spend their family vacation at a Rhode Island waterfront cabin.\nAfter meeting a beautiful woman (Binoche) in a bookstore, Dan is the talk of the family. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that his dream girl is dating his brother (Cook) and will be vacationing at the cabin with the family. This makes for a series of embarrassing moments as Dan tries to conceal his feelings from his brother and the rest of the family. \nThose expecting "The Office"-style humor or Cook-caliber laughs are in for a disappointment. Even though there are a host of comical moments, the film thrives mainly on uncomfortable situations and painful gags. Carell, who is one of the best at improvising awkwardness, is inept as ever as the love-struck Dan. Cook is static as usual, but he adds some facetiousness as Dan's optimistic younger brother -- the Uncle Jessie to Carell's Danny Tanner, if you will.\nA cross between family movie and comedy, "Dan in Real Life" is a love story played through a family gathering. Carell, as only he can, gives his character a sarcastic fatherliness that will leave you hungry for Thanksgiving dinner.