Comic actor Steve Carell is likeable and funny and, as always, French actress Juliette Binoche is pretty and charming. But these two stars cannot salvage this lackluster romantic comedy from sinking slowly in a swamp of recognizable, been there done that, paint-by-numbers not-so-quicksand. We've visited and revisited this familiar territory over and over again - you know it's trite when you can recite the dialogue in your head in unison with the actors. True, there's nothing new under the sun, but my goodness? What we have here is another variation on such flicks where the story revolves around a family reunion during the holidays. Throw in a love connection, some humorous moments, a few conflicts, a reconciliation, and well, ho hum (or ho humbug, if you'll pardon a seasonal pun) Anyhow, I'm sure you get the picture.

For this scenario, Steve Carell plays Dan Burns a widower and advice columnist for a New Jersey newspaper who has trouble following his own advice when it comes to his personal life. Its been four years since his wife died and it hasn't been easy as a single father trying to cope with his loss while at the same time raising three daughters with minds of their own, teenager Jane (Alison Pill) who is seldom allowed to use her driver's license, middle sibling Cara (Brittany Robertson), too young to be madly in love according to her dad, and youngest, Lilly (Marlene Lawston) who is starved for her father's attention.

But change is in the air soon after he arrives at his parent's (John Mahony and Dianne Wiest) lakefront compound in Rhode Island for the annual family gathering. At a visit to the local bookstore Dan encounters a smart and lovely stranger named Marie (Binoche), setting into motion a chain of physiological stirrings that he hadn't experienced in some time. They connect, and although Marie says she has a boyfriend, she agrees to give Dan her number.

In a wicked twist of fate, Dan soon discovers that his infatuation with Marie may have to remain that and nothing more as it turns out she is seeing Dan's brother Mitch (Dane Cook). Although Dan and Marie have a mutual attraction, they manage to conceal it which sets up alot of silly and potentially comical mishaps that, for instance, take place during an outdoor exercise session, games of physical contact, or in the shower. It's torture for Dan who suffers through his brother and Marie's spontaneous affection - all the while he gets an earful from every family member describing Marie in such glowing terms that you'd imagine her to be the very pinnacle of female perfection.

Marie comes off as a woman who at first enjoys being the center of attention and acting as a tease towards Dan who secretly pines for her. Only when Dan's mother sets him up on a blind date with a former ugly duckling that has grown into a hot plastic surgeon (Emily Blunt), does Marie's jealously rear its head, in the form of a very silly and humorless dance-off in a bar? Real Life? Okay -

Director and co-writer, Peter Hedges has proven to be a man of considerable gifts with films such as (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy, and Pieces of April) to his credit my expectations for Dan were "Real" high. He's demonstrated such a preternatural and gut-level understanding of those things concerning family and matters of the heart, that not only is this misfire disheartening it's a bit difficult to believe. What became of his daring honesty and that deft ability to wring the emotion from a scene without a trace of sentimentality. I was disappointed because I was expecting more from this filmmaker.

To help Dan understand and connect with his three daughters there are just too many contrived situations to make the outcome believable. Let me say without revealing too much, that the sideline plot devices centers around something each of these character wants desperately and initially could not have. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out.

If you are looking for something new and original, forget about it. Dan in Real Life isn't terrible, just artificial, bland, disposable and a waste of talent. At least, there aren't any vulgar moments. But, this is strictly stuff you would only see happen in the movies or on a TV sitcom. Dan in Real Life? I don't think so. "Reel" life would be more accurate.

We want to welcome a new writer to our stable - Las Vegas mover and shaker, and founder of the influential website http://theflickchicks.com/ Judy Thorburn. No one has her finger more smack dab in the center of Las Vegas entertainment scene than Judy and she's been a great friend of zboneman for several years. It's an honor to have her on board.