Having just arrived on Hulu this month, one of the best romantic comedies in recent years is available for everyone to stream for Valentine’s Day. Crazy, Stupid, Love was released in 2011 and immediately garnered a slew of positive reviews from both critics and viewers. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s Tomatometer is at a solid 79%, while its Popcornmeter is at a comparable 78%. Not only was the movie a critical success more than a decade ago, but it fared well commercially as well. On a budget of $50 million, the film brought in a whopping $145 million at the box office. Needless to say, Crazy, Stupid, Love was undoubtedly a hit 14 years ago and continues to delight audiences today.
Without a doubt, one of the most entertaining aspects of the movie lies in its performances. In fact, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were nominated for numerous awards for their roles, including the Golden Globes, the Teen Choice Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards, the latter of which Stone managed to win. Written by Dan Fogelman, Glenn Ficarra, and John Requa, Crazy, Stupid, Love pairs its comedy with an abundance of genuine heart, which makes its narrative more compelling and enjoyable than many other romantic comedies. The film is certainly meant to make viewers laugh, but it’s also meant to inspire a fervent admiration for loving all things related to love. As such, Crazy, Stupid, Love has a formula that sets it apart from other films in its genre. Because of this, it’s the perfect film to watch this year for Valentine’s Day.
Crazy, Stupid, Love follows a middle-aged man named Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) whose wife asks him for a divorce almost as soon as the film begins. After marrying so young, Emily Weaver (Julianne Moore) feels as though she and Cal haven’t been themselves for quite some time. As a result, she cheats on Cal with a colleague named David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon). With his world now turned upside down, Cal moves into an apartment away from his wife and children. In the wake of his shock, Cal drowns his sorrows at a posh local bar, where he eventually meets a very charming and alluring man named Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).
After hearing Cal whine for days about his wife and her affair with David Lindhagen, Jacob takes it upon himself to help Cal pick up women and rediscover his lost manhood. Reluctant to Jacob’s unsolicited assistance at first, Cal relents rather quickly. With a new suit and better shoes, Cal takes his first steps as a brand-new man who’s now hot on the scene. Suave and charming, Jacob is essentially a professional bachelor who has no problem making the women around him swoon. Upon befriending him, Cal learns how to do the same and subsequently navigates his newly single life with charm as he exudes his newfound confidence.
However, when Jacob encounters Hannah (Emma Stone) at the bar one evening, his bachelor days might be behind him just as Cal’s are taking off. With various stories of love that all eventually weave together, Crazy, Stupid, Love is equal parts funny and heartfelt. Rife with other hilarious performances by John Carroll Lynch, Josh Groban, Lio Tipton, Liza Lapira, and Marisa Tomei, the film is perfect for the season of love.
Unlike other romantic comedies, Crazy, Stupid, Love follows a slightly different formula than viewers might recognize. However, its unique perspective is an aspect of the film that makes it so enjoyable to watch. Given how its narrative unfolds, viewers think they know its trajectory, only to be delightfully surprised as it progresses. Because it’s more than just a run-of-the-mill rom-com, the movie appeals to everyone, even those who might not prefer such a genre. As such, it’s the perfect one to watch for Valentine’s Day.
While many other films in the romantic comedy category often have convoluted plots, Crazy, Stupid, Love doesn’t need to jump through hoops in order to tell its story. Nor does it need over-the-top or unrealistic characters to drive its point home. Rather, it succeeds because it relies on the genuine appeal of its narrative and the relatability of its characters. In fact, its story is rather simple. However, sometimes that’s all viewers need, especially when a movie like Crazy, Stupid, Love does it so well. Crazy, Stupid, Love is currently streaming on Hulu.
