影畫絮語 - 香港國際電影節 + 真的戀錯了 + 迷失愛與罪

影畫絮語 www.mov-reviews.com 是一個網上播放的電影評論節目，歡迎收聽!!!

第三十二屆香港國際電影節將於 3月17 至 4月6 日舉行，心水電影逐套數。

活地阿倫繼《迷失決勝分》及《遇上塔羅牌殺手》後，「倫敦三部曲」之最終篇《迷失愛與罪》再次探討物慾如何扭曲人性，伊雲麥葵格及哥連費路表現出色。

中年危機、父女溝通之道、家庭的重要性 … … 愛情喜劇《真的戀錯了》非一般的窩心。

Dan in Real Life is a heartwarming, entertaining, meaningful and delightful romantic comedy directed by Peter Hedges, the screenplay writer of About a Boy and Pieces of April.

The film consists of 3 elements. First, the film is about the problems faced by a man undergoing middle-age crisis. Dan is an advice column writer emphasizing 'putting family first'. However, in reality, he is facing many problems. First, he is lonely single father whose wife has been dead for 4 years. Besides, his daughters dislike him and Cara calls him the murderer of love. Dan also falls in love with his brother’s girlfriend, which is a scandal. Can he solve his own problems in real life? 

Secondly, the film points out the phenomenon that parents are too protective and always believe their children will never grow up. As a result, his daughters dislike him and some children in reality may become dependent. In the film, Jane is so mature that she is even aware that her dad is flirting with his brother's girl friend and the little girl is aware that his father is unhappy.

Thirdly, love has no rules sometimes. Dan said, 'Can you know a person in 3 days? NO, but I love her! I love her! I love her!'  At the end of the movie, he also encourages others to "plan to be surprised'. Perhaps, we should not always follow rules or impose your own rules on others.

Apart from the great messages in ONE tiny little rom-com, the whole cast is charismatic and there is a good chemistry between the two leads, Steve Carell & Juliette Binoche. They act naturally and their acting is convincing. I am looking forward to seeing Steve Carell's upcoming film Get Smart. By the way, Dan's daughters are very cute and their characters are well developed.

One scene is well designed. Dan says, "Jane, you have your mother's goodness. Cara has her passion and Lilly has her eyes and smiles". When the girls also say, "Go now. Go get her", it symbolizes that Dan gets support from not only her daughters, but also her wife. This is really a touching scene.

The only disappointment lies in the ending. The sugar-coated feel good ending hinders the film from elevating itself to a more realistic rom-com. The ending is unlikely to happen in reality! Despite this, the audience will feel cozy and very happy when they leave the theatre. After watching the film, I also feel hopeful about the future.

Judging from the messages I discussed above, you may be aware that this film is quite different from other typical rom-coms. The most unique thing is that this is a heart-warming rom-com with characters from 3 generations in a big family. This is not only a dating movie. It is also about other problems (middle-age crisis, communications with other members in a family, facing the death of one's important half, etc) faced by people IN REAL LIFE (though the ending is unlikely to happen in reality). That's why I highly recommend this special movie to people of all ages. 4 / 5

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Jane Burns - She is the eldest daughter who wanna drive.
Cara Burns - A rebellious middle daughter who loves Marty.
Lilly Burns - the youngest daughter who is very cute.

Jane Burns: Can I drive? If you don't let me, I'll never learn.
Dan Burns: But if I let you, you might not live.

Marie: You don't have to smile.
Dan Burns: It's better than the alternative.

Dan Burns: Instead of telling our young people to plan ahead, we should tell them to plan to be surprised.

Marty: May I see your daughter?
Dan: [SHOUT] Jane (the eldest daughter).
Marty: Actually I am here for Cara (younger daughter).
Dan: Please come back in two years.

Dan: Maybe I'll even call to say that I'm not calling.