"If you don't let me, I'll never learn." "But if I let you, you might not live."

Dan In Real Life - starring Steve Carell, Juliet Binoche, Alison Pill, Dianne Weist, John Mahoney, and Dane Cook.

A widower and sportswriter, Dan Burns, has three daughters. He takes his family on an annual trek to his parents' homestead where he is reunited with his three brothers and sister, along with their own families. The Burns family comes together to assist in the packing up of the grandparents home. Dan while in town meets a lovely woman, Marie, in a bookstore. He is smitten and the two talk in depth. At their parting, he discovers she is in a relationship. Dan returns to the house, informs his family that he met someone in town only to be introduced to Marie, as his brother's new girlfriend.

Dan must deal with his growing attraction to her as his family and brother all fall in love with her as well. He juggles the struggle of letting his daughters grow up and his own loneliness.

I enjoyed this movie - it was funny, painful, sweet, and real. It is funny because it reminded me of the film Pieces of April, and it turns out that both films were directed by the same guy - Peter Hedges. This is a great family drama. Dan is surrounded by his family - nephews, nieces, and in laws. The film invokes the closeness, laughter, and stress of a real family. I think this is a film that is well worth a view. Rent it, who cares if it is somewhat predictable, it is still a delight.