Almost groundbreaking

I feel like I’ve been cheated by “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”

The film seeks to be ambitious and smart, rising above the bog that most romantic comedies get sucked down into.

But in a rather cynical move, it decides to embrace every worn out attribute of the genre in its closing minutes.

Let’s focus on the early parts of the film when things are good.
Steve Carell and Julianne Moore play Cal and Emily, a couple whose marriage is deteriorating. To illustrate how much their communication skills have atrophied, Cal jumps out of a moving car when Emily confesses an infidelity, rather than talk about it.

Cal wallows at a bar all by himself since his friends decide they can only socialize with his wife now. There he observes Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling, who can (and does) get any (and every) woman he wants, every single night.

Feeling pity for Cal, Jacob decides to teach him how to dress and impress the ladies. While Cal makes himself temporarily shallow, Jacob is strangely fascinated by Hannah, played by Emma Stone.

Stone has a remarkable way of actually seeming like a real human being, even if her comedic timing is perhaps too perfect. If it seems like she is underused, it’s only to build up a surprise near the end.

Most of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” is written with an intelligence and compassion that is rare. Unfortunately, the writers give up on originality when they succumb to the standard speeches and chases at the end.

There’s also the inclusion of the annoying son, who is characteristically wise beyond his years, yet confused by love. These kids don’t exist in real life, and they should be excised from all movies.

Flawed as it is, “Crazy, Stupid, Love” has ambition, and that’s at least worth something.