Crazy, Stupid, Love (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

( Max score: 100 )

85

Film Synopsis:

Cal Weaver sees his twenty five year marriage to Emily as perfect until she drops a bomb on him by admitting an affair and asking for a divorce. Now Cal is singe, angry, and looking to tell his tale of woe to anyone willing to listen. Along comes ladykiller Jacob Palmer, a silver tongued expert in the field wooing women. Jacob takes Cal under his wing and mentors him beginning with a serious wardrobe update. Amid inappropriate crushes and romantic encounters, Cal and Jacob discover that being a player without the right partner is just crazy and stupid, it's impossible!

My Take:

Fortysomething straight-laced Cal Weaver (Carell) is living the dreamgood job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emily (Julianne Moore). So when Cal learns that his wife has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his perfect life quickly unravels. Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth so handsome player Jacob Palmer (Gosling) takes him on as wingman and protégé, opening Cal's eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style. Despite Cal's makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can't be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading Cal back to where he began. Cal and Emily aren't the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places. Cal's 13 year old son Robbie is in love with his 17 year old babysitter Jessica, who has her eyes and heart set on someone else. Jacob finds that in spite of his (successful) womanizing approach to dealing with the opposite sex he can't get anywhere with Hanna, the first woman he has ever found resistant to his charms. Perhaps it's because he hasn't tried the correct approach, being himself. Each of these romantic entanglements share a connection, it's that thing we all know to be crazy, stupid, love.

I took my wife to see Crazy, Stupid, Love earlier this summer and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I wouldn't describe it as an original romantic comedy but it's not typical either. Dan Fogelman's script takes a few risks, most pay off, while a few, stretch credibility to the limit. Those stretches don't diminish this intelligent, charming, witty and quirky romantic comedy that centers revolves a married couple going through a difficult time and their struggle to find balance outside of the only romantic relationship they have ever known. Add to that the complexities of teenage infatuation, spurned affections, and the situational strife that can be associated with reentering the dating scene after a 25 year absence and you have the makings of a funny, touching and feel good film. The cast is excellent which is a big reason why Crazy, stupid, love works so well. Cal is tailor made for Steve Carell and he doesn't disappoint. Ryan Gosling gets the balance between boldly aloof and charismatically nurturing just right. Julianne Moore is such a pro and Emma Stone is a delight to watch. Marissa Tomei and Kevin Bacon have bit parts that add to the fun while young Jonah Bobo serves as the film's requisite scene stealer. Crazy, stupid, love is a down to earth and refreshing romantic comedy that makes the most of its nearly two hour runtime. I enjoyed it every bit as much this second time around and have decided to add it to my collection.

Parental Guide:

The rating is for coarse humor, sexual content, and language.

Audio: 82

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Video: 88

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Crazy, stupid, love comes to Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 18 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.5 Mbps.

This is an excellent high definition video rendering that mimics the film's theatrical presentation. Resolution is notable as images are firmly resolved, with defining sharpness and two dimensional depth. Colors are beautifully rendered with revealing delineation, tonal warmth and vibrant textures. Fleshtones appear descriptive with discernible complexional variety that brings out the finest gradations in the differing complexional types among the cast. Blacks are a solid shade of deep black with excellent dynamic range and discernible highlights. Contrast is well balanced which enriches both light and dark onscreen elements. There is a light veneer of grain that provides a mildly textured and film like essence.

The lossless audio presentation is quite good and delivers the source elements with high level detail and punchy dynamics. Dialogue is appropriately prioritized and is reproduced with excellent tonal variation and clarity through the center channel. The surrounds are active at times and used to good effect for venue replicating atmospherics and reproducing musical ambience. The mix isn't aggressive but does create an enjoyable surround sound experience that perfectly matched the tone of the film.

Bonus Features:

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• (HD) Steve & Ryan walk into a bar - 6 minute featurette
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• (HD) The player meets his match - 5 minute featurette
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• (HD) Deleted scenes - 12 minutes
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• Bonus DVD of Crazy, stupid, love
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• Ultraviolet Digital Copy of Crazy, stupid, love

Final Thoughts:

Crazy, stupid, love is an intelligent, witty and down to earth film that puts a quirky, refreshing and entertaining spin on the romantic comedy genre. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video featuring rewarding high definition audio/video and a limited supplemental package that consists of a pair of production featurettes and deleted scenes. I enjoy Crazy, stupid, love for its warm heart, breezy humor and rewarding performances. If you're a genre fan I highly recommend it.