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Really "Dan"

There's a physical law that says objects in motion will stay in motion. The same could be said of the characters in "Dan in Real Life" - the family comedy trifle from director Peter Hedges (2003's "Pieces of April"). The majority of "Dan" takes place during an unfathomably quaint family vacation in a Rhode Island cabin, during which the characters engage in almost every possible clichéd family activity - charades, crosswords, football, even (oh, come on!) a talent show. Does anyone actually do all this? With so little downtime, it's amazing they have time for dysfunction. But boy do they. The script, by Mr. Hedges and Pierce Gardner, is packed to the brim with the kind of familial drama that can either be painfully trite or painfully real. Since Mr. Hedges is also the writer behind "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" as well as "About a Boy", "Dan" exists on the latter side - keeping the proceedings cute without being self-consciously cutesy.

A lot of the credit for "Dan's" success can go to Steve Carell. The actor plays Dan, an advice columnist (the film's unwieldy title is the name of his column) who, wouldn't you know it, is a tad bit neurotic. Mr. Carell is in "Little Miss Sunshine" mode and regardless of how much I loved him in "The Office" or "The 40 Year Old Virgin", he's that rare comedian that shines in the "serious" roles. With sad clown eyes, Mr. Carell's Dan is a shell of a man. We find out pretty quickly that his wife died four years prior, leaving him with three daughters of varying ages but similar precociousness. Jane wants to drive, Cara is too ready to fall in love, and young Lilly is struggling to be recognized. Mr. Carell's scenes with the girls are touching but the film has a lot more to do.

First, Dan must meet-cute with Marie (Juliette Binoche - yes, Juliette Binoche) who turns out to be the girlfriend of his rough-around-the-edges brother Mitch (Dane Cook - yes, Dane Cook). The film has a blast placing these characters in the confines of a weekend retreat and watching the complications ensue. It's like a really good episode of "Frasier". And speaking of which, "Frasier" dad John Mahoney is on hand as, well, dad. Throw in Dianne Wiest as the mother and this becomes a family vacation anyone could enjoy.

At first Ms. Binoche is an odd casting choice for Marie, seeming to struggle with the character's inherent quirkiness. But when she warms up, she absolutely glows (and I don't just mean after the family's morning calisthenics). It's a shame that her relationship with Mitch is such an obvious mismatch. Dane Cook doesn't know what to do with his role (big surprise) but, for once, that actually works. The less we care about Mitch the better.

"Dan" is entirely Mr. Carell's show and, for the first time, he's able to take a serious romantic lead and run with it. At times, Dan's plight is so painful that you wish him some relief. Other times you just wish he would get out of his own way. Yes, "Dan" is fairly rote family fluff, full of easy resolutions (this family can forgive anything), but it's also sweet fluff. "Dan" may have little to do with real life, but like the family's weekend agenda, there's plenty to keep you occupied. And like real life, there's never a dull moment.