Crazy, Stupid, Love.

This romantic comedy benefits from the presence of Steve Carell in the lead role, and Ryan Gosling getting solid laughs in a supporting role. Carell plays Cal, a man facing divorce from his beloved wife (Julianne Moore) after a quarter century of marriage. After some time wallowing in a local bar, a ladies man (Gosling) notices him and takes him under his wing, coaching him in the ways of bedding women. It sounds like hackneyed crap, but Carell and Gosling make it entertaining and somewhat original. Emma Stone is adorable as an up-and-coming lawyer who resists the advances of Gosling’s ladies man at first, but eventually gives him another shot. The movie is a little wacky in the head, and that’s why I like it. Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon show up in small supporting roles, and they make the most of their screen time.