February Film Club: Crazy, Stupid, Love

When William Shakespeare donned his ruff and picked up his quill to pen the famous line, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” we like to imagine he was picturing something along the lines of directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s 2011 Crazy, Stupid, Love.

This masterful modern rom-com follows a string of linked love stories focusing on recently separated dad Cal Weaver (Steve Carell). When Cal’s wife asks for a separation following her affair with David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon), Cal decides to wallow at the local watering hole. In walks the suave and confident Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), who has women falling for him left, right and centre. Cal starts to gain attention for the wrong reasons, and Jacob see's this depressing and poorly dressed middle aged man as a makeover project.

What follows is a story about love, honesty, trust and the absurdity of it all. Add in a Dirty Dancing lift, a hilarious four-man brawl, *that* six pack, and the perfect pairing of Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, and you’ve got yourself a delightfully crazy feel-good film. This is, in part, thanks to the film’s glittering cast, joining Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling are Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei and even a young Joey King.

So, whether you need to delight in someone else’s romantic blues, wish for a happy ending or laugh at the absurdity of romance: Crazy, Stupid, Love has everything you need and more this Valentine’s Day. Watch here (unless you’re David Lindhagen).