I purchased tickets for The Game Plan, nestled into my seat as the last trailer came to a close, and couldn't figure out for the life of me why Duane "The Rock" Johnson's name wasn't appearing in the credits. Instead, Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Dianne Wiest, and others flashed across the screen. My wife and I looked at each other in confusion. I pulled out my cell phone, using its light to glance at the ticket. It read, "The Game Plan - Theater 4." I got up and went outside into the hallway...sure enough, we were in 4. I asked a nearby usher if The Game Plan was in Theater 4 and he replied, "Oh, there's a sneak preview of Dan in Real Life playing right now." Dan in Real Life? Was that a real title? I'd never heard of it. Needless to say, for the next hour and a half we found ourselves emotionally drawn into, what we agreed, was one of the decade's top five romantic comedies.

The title character, Dan Burns, played by Steve Carell, is a widower with three daughters who works as an advice columnist on the verge of syndication. The film centers on the annual Burns' cabin-on-the-bay extended family reunion in Rhode Island. Dan falls head over heels for Marie, played by Juliette Binoche, who he meets in a local bookstore. He soon discovers she is his brother, Mitch's new girlfriend. Incidentally, Marie is staying with the Burns' family while in Rhode Island and it's clear she shares an attraction to Dan. Mitch, played by Dane Cook, is clueless as the awkwardness grows and Dan struggles to cope with the first person to steal his heart since the death of his wife, four years prior. The situation is complicated by Marie's charm and the fondness growing between her and the family, particularly Dan's daughters.

There are plenty of laughs to go around, none of which are contrived or predictable. By the end credits you'll feel as if you've truly been along for the ride with Dan and his family. Not in a cold, objective way, but in a way that is alive, sweet, and emotionally tugging at your heart.

Peter Hedges deftly guides the film's pacing and direction to the point where you become completely immersed in the characters and plot. The writers, Pierce Gardner and Peter Hedges, have crafted a clever script with dialogue that's heartfelt because it's so believable. Each actor in the large ensemble cast was incredibly sincere, capturing every emotion perfectly and portraying everyday people in a way that is warm and familiar. All these elements combine to bring to life a truly enjoyable story that is funny, poignant, and satisfying.

Steve Carell finally proves he has what it takes to rise above some of the sillier, sophomoric roles he's tackled, soaring to a new, leading man level of talent. It's clear from Carell's performance as Dan, that if he plays his cards right, he could end up being this generation's Tom Hanks.

There are many positive elements in Dan in Real Life that are rare to see portrayed in Hollywood these days. The elders of the family, Poppy and Nana Burns, played by John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest, insist Mitch and Marie sleep in separate rooms since they are not married. What's more, there's not a single argument or sour face over the rule, only a deep, loving respect for Nana and Poppy's authority. The tight-knit family dynamic is authentic, and yet quirky in a heartfelt way. There wasn't a single curse word uttered that I heard, although there is a little sexual innuendo and suggestive dancing. Viewers will also catch a glimpse of the side of Marie's left breast, but the shot is brief, from behind, and shown an innocent context. Undoubtedly, these are the only reasons for the film's PG-13 rating. Overall, however, the film is innocent and free of the type of vulgar or juvenile humor found in many modern romantic comedies.

Dan in Real Life is a film about family, but it's not a family film. Pre-teen viewers will most likely not grasp the subtleties of Dan's predicament and therefore miss out on many humorous moments. Also, the aforementioned brief partial nudity, innuendo, and suggestive dancing could make a parent squirm enough to send any youngsters for more popcorn.

I highly recommend seeing Dan in Real Life. It was a tremendous surprise and a pleasure to enjoy. The only part of the film I didn't like was the clunky title which does absolutely no justice to this wonderful work. Focus Features and Touchstone Pictures are to be commended for their role in bringing a mostly-clean, hilarious, and heartfelt romantic comedy to the big screen. I hope it's a smashing success that makes Hollywood sit up and take notice!