Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie Review

An unexpectedly good film arrives on Blu-ray in a tidy package.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 7, 2008

Plan to be surprised.

Dan In Real Life feels like real life, a comedy replete with humor that is never forced or phony. It feels improvised rather than scripted and lived rather than acted. It's sometimes hard to tell that you're watching a movie rather than sitting in a room with these characters. The movie flows at a natural, graceful pace, telling a simple story of love at first sight that's never been told quite like this. Every character is drawn as if from some real-life inspiration, and each acted as if the inspirations themselves played the parts. All of this is high praise, but don't expect Dan In Real Life to sweep the Oscars. It's not that high-class of a film. What it is, however, is a smart, fun, touching, unexpected, believable, family-friendly, and heartwarming comedy/drama that pushes all the right buttons, and not a button too many. Even though we think we know how the story will end, we're not quite sure we're right until the credits roll.

Dan is stunned to learn that movies are not real life.

Dan In Real Life derives its title from a newspaper column of the same monicker, written by single parent Dan Burns (Steve Carell, Evan Almighty). He's been raising three school- aged girls alone since his wife passed away four years ago, rarely heeding his own advice on parenting in his soon-to-be-maybe-syndicated column. He must deal with the budding "love" one of his daughters feels for her lab partner, the incessant nagging about learning to drive by another, and the trials and tribulations of his youngest, a girl almost too smart for her age, caught in the middle of it all, only wanting some love and attention from her dad. "You're a good father, but sometimes a bad dad," she says to him. On an excursion to Rhode Island for an annual family gathering, Dan meets Marie (Juliette Binoche, Chocolat), a charming yet mysterious woman who only tells him she's seeing someone after he begins to fall for her during a chance meeting in a used book store. Unfortunately for Dan, she's in town for the same family reunion, and she's dating his brother Mitch (Dane Cook, Employee of the Month). Not only is Dan's trip ruined, but everyone is encouraging him to get together with this "mystery woman" for whom he's got puppy-dog eyes. He also finds himself guilty in the eyes of his daughters, as his actions parallel those he's forbade them of engaging in--namely falling in love at first sight and bad driving--while ignoring the needs of his youngest. As Dan loses his sanity, his family tries to regain it for him, but the object of his desire and that which is causing his meltdown is constantly under his nose, and worse yet, on his brother's arm.

In a world of generic romantic comedies and films with low-brow humor and plots you can figure out even before you've bought your tickets, Dan In Real Life is a cinematic breath of fresh air, creating a wholly unpredictable, fun, and moving picture. What really makes this one work is the cast. Steve Carell is a natural actor, a man who, in the vein of the greats of comedy like Bill Murray, relies on timing, deadpan facial expressions, and charm to win over audiences rather than crude hijinks and dialogue. The rest of the cast is first-rate in the picture as well. Each character, though stereotypes some of them may be, are played by the actors with a heart and charisma rarely seen in a movie like this. The direction by Peter Hedges (Pieces of April) is simple and extremely effective, letting the cast do their thing as he sits back and points the camera at the action. A film that defies several genres, Dan In Real Life perhaps creates its own, a new genre that showcases, well, real life, without letting cinematic contrivances and formulas get in the way of a genuine, interesting, original, and worthwhile motion picture.

Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This 1080p, 1.85:1 framed transfer is another winner from Disney. While Dan In Real Life won't be asked to attend any Blu-ray awards ceremonies, this transfer simply gets the job done, showing us a very pleasing, film-like image. There is generally a very nice array of colors throughout the movie. They are not brilliant or eye-popping, but rather just a tad dull, and truer to life than some of the hot, over exaggerated colors often seen in comedies. The image lacks a good bit of vibrancy and three-dimensionality as a result, but gains a very naturalistic, pleasing look that is theatrical in appearance and feel. Film grain didn't seem to be on display in abundance. Flesh tones looked pleasing and real, though there is perhaps a slight reddish tint to them in many scenes. Black levels are also good, but there aren't a lot of scenes that truly showcase them. The image is sharp and clean, both befitting the newness of the film, with nary an overly soft spot or print defect. This transfer is definitely not one to wow your friends with for just a "hey look how cool Blu-ray is" fleeting moment in time, but if you sit down to watch this one with them, I think it'll show them the power of 1080p high definition anyway.

Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Presented with an uncompressed PCM 5.1 soundtrack, Dan In Real Life sounds rather humdrum, but it's supposed to. You won't find any loud musical cues, gunshots, explosions, or sound effects whizzing all around you, but that doesn't mean this one isn't "good." With practically zero participation from the subwoofer, the track nevertheless retains a good amount of depth and understated finesse. Surrounds are generally only active during the soft, easy going music. It finds its way into the rear, creating a pleasant, natural, and room-filling experience. There were one or two corny, fake-sounding effects, such as a scene where several doors slam all around Dan, and therefore all around us. The effect seemed out of place and unnatural. The movie also features fine dialogue reproduction, and as the mainstay of the soundtrack, it takes top priority, sounding natural, clear, and precise. Other than that, there is just not much to say about this one. It sounds fine with no audible flaws.

Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disney brings Dan In Real Life to Blu-ray with a fine supplemental package. First up is a commentary track with writer/director Peter Hedges. He discusses the origins of the script and some real-world influences that seep into the final product. He offers a play-by-play of many scenes, including the order in which they were filmed, improvisations, subtle hints and innuendos, and other trivial anecdotes. This is a fairly standard fare track, and only the most hardcore of Dan In Real Life fans will want to listen for the entire length of the film.

Just Like Family: The Making of 'Dan In Real Life' (1080p, 15:01) features some of the same material heard in the commentary, including the origins of the story and the script, and its evolution once it made its way into the hands of Peter Hedges. This feature also showcases interviews with the cast, and their discussions revolve around the comedic tones in the film, the intricacies of setting up different shots, and the bond the cast came to share by the end of the film, making it all the more a believable, single family. Handmade Music: Creating the Score (1080p, 9:50) is a look at the music, or lack thereof, throughout the film. Director Peter Hedges describes his influences for the music, namely that from other films, his choice in composer, and the style of music he wanted in his film. There is also a nice look at the making of the talent show scene featuring performances by Steve Carell and Dane Cook, and the role composer Sondre Lerche played in that and several other scenes throughout the film. Next up are eleven deleted scenes (1080p, 20:09) with optional commentary by Peter Hedges. Finally, 3:26 worth of outtakes, presented in 480p, round out this decent set of supplements.

Dan in Real Life Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

To say I enjoyed this movie is an understatement. It's replete with everything you could possibly want in a movie like this--a fresh, engaging, and entertaining story, great acting, and a few good life lessons thrown in for good measure. This Blu-ray edition sports a very good video presentation, a reserved but effective audio presentation, and a fun helping of extra material. All in all, Dan In Real Life is a winner, a film most of the family can and probably will enjoy, and the cast of characters is so big, diverse, and likable, just about everyone is bound to find someone they can relate to. Combining big laughs, small laughs, originality, and a good, quick pace, this is one not to miss for family movie night. Definitely recommended!