Well, it's the weekend. Are you going to see a new movie? Well, if you're like me, you're probably tired of all those seriously serious Oscar-bait movies out there right now. So what's an alternative? Try Dan in Real Life. Steve Carell, Dane Cook, what's not to like?
The movie is about a widowed father, Dan (Carell), with three daughters. During a family reunion, Dan meets the woman of his dreams at a book store. But when he gets to his parents' house, of course the woman is already there. And [cue the dramatic music] she's his brother's (Cook) girlfriend. Ooh, the plot thickens!
Now, this movie could have easily veered off into shtick. But if you were expecting something like Carell's break-out role (Ahh! Kelly Clarkson!), you will be disappointed. (By the way, that movie was rated R, so you should not have seen it anyway!) This is not a gross-out comedy. Dan in Real Life is surprisingly sweet, and it paints an earnest picture of family life.
Dan has flaws--besides for the whole falling for his brother's girlfriend thing, he's completely over-protective of his daughters--but he's human. (Or, maybe, he's human because he has flaws. Hmmm, did I just blow your mind?) We want him to get the girl, but we don't want him to hurt his brother. His family is our family, and we've all been there before. (Well, again, maybe not the falling for the brother's girlfriend part.)
The movie is not all hugs and bonding. There are pratfalls and crazy coincidences. There is Carell's trademark awkwardness (which he perfected on NBC's The Office). But behind it all, there is love.
So, go on now, see the movie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll eat a lot of popcorn.
Oh, and you know I love all of you out there in the Word-osphere. So, yay, bonus for you all! Here is an interview with Dane Cook. Enjoy, and have a great weekend! (Oh, and go read a book or write something!)
Word: Were you always the class clown growing up?
Dane Cook: The exact opposite actually. I was the shy, introverted kid in class, I was an observer. I knew I wanted to perform; at home I was comfortable [performing]. I was kind of a wallflower. I was so afraid of speaking in front of class. In high school I joined drama and creative writing. Slowly but surely I found my voice.
Word: How do you come up with your material? Is it based on real-life situations?
Cook: It's a mix--personal experience, things I've heard from friends. I'm interested in one thing--getting laughs. For example, for one bit, half happened to friends and half happened to me and I built a bit.
Word: Do you ever feel pressured to be funny? Do people come up to you and say, "Hey, you're a comedian, say something funny"?
Cook: You do get that. There's a time when you're "on." But then I go back into a chameleon state of observing. Some people are one all the time, but I don't feel that's necessary. My favorite comedians are more reserved. Johnny Carson--I used to love staying up with family. I didn't understand all of it, I just loved him. Loved Johnny, his persona. You need to find out about yourself--what's likable. Find the tones so that you're relatable.
Word: Do you ever get stage fright? If so, how do you overcome it?
Cook: No, I never had stage fright. The first time I was on stage I felt so comfortable. It was a bit of a character, a performance. I felt at home, and I couldn't wait to paint a verbal picture.
Word: Now that you've been in some major movies, do you think you're going to keep doing movies, or are you going to do more comedy tours?
Cook: I would like to mix it up and do both. The thing about touring is you might not get everywhere your fans are. I can hit a lot more people and a lot more places with film. Coming from a shy, quiet background, [performing] makes me feel so fulfilled.
Word: Do you like to have your jokes prepared in advance, or are you better at winging it?
Cook: It's a mix. As a performer, you want to evolve constantly. You need to be prepared. Education, preparation, you can't beat it. Being adaptable is important, too. You have to live. You have to be flexible. It goes back to jokes. I just want to make you laugh.
Word: I read that you were one of the first celebrities to use MySpace to get your name out, and you also used your own money to create a Web site. Why did you decide to do this? Would you consider your efforts a success?
Cook: I found as a comedian there is a lot of down time. You don't have auditions every day, and I needed to find my fans. I was sitting in front of my computer, and thought "Is there a way to have a dynamic Web site as a comedian?" I'd go into these places [such as Myspace] and said "Check this out!" It wasn't a job. I thought, "Wow, this is easy." I can find the pulse of America. I need to get better and more versatile. I still think of it as one person at a time, and it's still as exciting and glamorous. I still update it, do my message boards. I'm very hands on. Now I don't have as much time, which is frustrating, I'll admit it. I try to do podcasts and use whatever technology I can to get to the masses.
Word: Is there any topic that you wouldn't make a joke out of? Why?
Cook: No. I can't sit here and say I wouldn't go near this or that. Even dark edgy stuff can be a pinprick for someone. What I mean is, people will say you made it OK to talk about something and comedy has a way of making you open up. But not every comic can get away with everything. There might be a way to talk about things.
Word: What kind of encouragement did you get growing up?
Cook: My mom was the biggest fan of mine. She said, "Anything you do you'll be the best at." She would be so encouraging, yet she would be honest. She knew I had the ability to perform. Every step of the way, she said go for it. "Embrace that which defines you," that's what my mom said to me. My dad's
encouragement was more of a tough love. He said, "Are you going to talk about it or show me?" He was as encouraging as my mom, but tough. My parents got separated [when I was] in junior high school, so I know what it's like to have one parent. Life goes by pretty darn quick, so you have to work hard on yourself. I felt like a nobody when I was growing up. Work hard on you.
Word: Do you ever read reviews about yourself? If so, what goes through your mind when you get a bad review? What about a good review?
Cook: Look, sometimes, you hit anyone on the right day … But I don't partake in negativity. I'll allow myself to go into the far reaches of my mind. I try to stay pretty positive and not listen to negative people. Cynical people will try to knock you. You have to know how the world works. I got this bad review once and it was like a cannon was shot in my stomach, so I too know how it feels to get a bad review. Everyone's got an opinion. You can't let it go to your heart or your head, even though sometimes it will. You got to keep walking. Get up and take a walk. Sitting and letting things fester is the worst.
Word: What other jobs have you had?
Cook: I was a dietary aid in a nursing home, clerk in a video game store, worked a plow … [I did] anything I could to do stand up comedy every night.
Word: What do you like doing in your spare time?
Cook: I'm pretty low maintenance. [I like] going to the movies. I'm a big gamer. In another life I'd be a designer. I'm interested in graphics, and I'm kind of a geek. I do the opposite of entertainment [in my spare time]. [I'm in] a relaxed state. But I did what I do. I've loved what I've done for 17 years.
Word: What advice would you give students who want to become comedians?
Cook: I walk a fine line when we speak of advice. There are always things you can say. Being truthful with yourself, starting now. I tell people first and foremost to carve your own path. You can emulate people. Observe people that you care about, and take their advice. Don't think so much about what people tell you you have to do.
