Dan - Mitten im Leben!

Too bad Peter Hedges isn't as good a director as he is a writer. The likeable story is well acted, realistic, and funny, but fizzles out rather to nothing towards the end. As a screenwriter, though, Hedges has a lot to offer. It just needs to be made by someone more experienced next time. (14.06.2008)

An unexpectedly excellent comedy with a great cast (Dane Cook, Juliette Binoche). For perhaps the first time I didn't mind Steve Carell either. The brisk pace added to the lightness of the film. I have to admit that I had a really good time. The family atmosphere literally absorbed me. Except for a few minor clichés, it was a relaxing film. 4 stars. (23.07.2011)

My partner was surprised after the final credits at how I could be so cynical and give only two stars to a movie full of beautiful, likable, and positive people who love each other. Well, I can. Juliette Binoche is indeed an actress, about whom I wrote some time ago, that she could instantly be a candidate for Miss Sympathy Universe, and Steve Carell belongs among the most versatile American comedians with a wide range of acting and a cultivated manner of speech. However, Dan in Real Life is a typical representative of a sterile and undemanding spectacle - a mixture of romance and an appropriate dose of family values. It is simply too shallow, generic, and not of this world. Overall impression: 40%. (14.11.2013)

Ein ausgezeichneter Film, der die Zuschauer*innen nicht nur zum Lachen bringt, sondern auch ihre Seele streichelt. Der romantische Plot wird von dem intelligenten Drehbuch nicht zur emotionalen Erpressung missbraucht, was definitiv einer der größten Pluspunkte von Dan - Mitten im Leben! ist. Der ausgezeichnete Steve Carell, die bezaubernde Juliette Binoche, drei Töchter, von denen keine unsympathisch oder nervig ist… Ich war wirklich überrascht, was alles bei einem gewöhnlichen Familientreffen passieren kann. (12.04.2011)

I have the same problem with this film as with Love Actually. Both films tug at your heartstrings, both are full of annoying clichés, but for reasons unknown to me, they make me suppress my innate cynicism. If only the kids in the film hadn’t been so annoying all the time (especially the heart-to-heart with the father just before the end was enough to make me puke), I might have even thrown in a fifth star. Mainly because it’s the first time I've realized Steve Carell can do better than just comedy (sometimes of questionable quality). (23.10.2020)

And once again Steve Carell, how I love him. That means he acts without being pretentious. Or at least not mostly. With Juliette Binoche, they have perfect chemistry between them. She is incredible when she gets jealous. A beautiful story that life could truly write. It is simple and yet so beautifully complicated. But don't we all experience this? And if not truly, at least in our fantasies. Surprisingly, the ending doesn't sound so awkward, although it probably would in other movies. This film evokes pleasant feelings, mostly, and I am very glad for that. (18.02.2014)

One of the coziest and most endearing romantic comedies I know, and one I love coming back to. Probably most of the credit for this goes to the casting choices, which are extremely likeable. Steve Carell is a great fit, you wish him love. I actually discovered him through this film and he immediately became one of my favorites. Juliette Binoche is very cute and her laugh must put a smile on everyone's face. My favourite Emily Blunt appears here too and the whole plot with her is endearingly comical. As I mentioned at the beginning, Dan in Real Life is a great, easygoing, authentic, and sweet film that caresses the soul. (27.04.2023)