Crazy, Stupid, Love Directed by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa Starring: Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling Rating: PG-13 Release Date: July 29, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 4/10
Thoughts by TSR: Unfortunately, this is the kind of movie trailer that works better in theory than in practice. After all, when you get right down to it, what about this premise is funny? Mid-life crisis? Check. Adulterous wife? Check. Womanizing wingman? Check. I know, I know, I'm probably reading too much into it, but I just don't see a whole lot of humor there.
I think the main issue with this trailer is that it's got such a great cast, but doesn't know how to make use of it in the 2 minutes and 30 seconds they're given. What probably functions as more of an ensemble piece quickly becomes a bromance about a middle-aged guy in desperate need of a makeover. If I wanted to watch that, I'd just turn on TLC.
For fans of The Office who are already jones-ing for a little more Carell, the trailer works just fine, but as somebody who was hoping to see a showcase of Gosling's comedic skills or Stone's natural charm, I was left wanting. The "comedy" that Gosling is forced to peddle is this weird blend of homoerotic (watch for Gosling's junk) and vaguely homophobic ("will you take that straw out of your mouth, it looks like you're suckin' on a..." in a way that I can't quite make sense of it.
Thankfully before I could give any comedic aspects too much thought, the trailer delves back into melodrama. I know, it's a bit of an emotional roller coaster for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. It would probably be more emotionally draining if I actually found myself caring much. In the end, what does this trailer have to offer? it's certainly got potential, but this doesn't seem like a very good display of it.
Crazy? Check. Stupid? Check. Love? Not so much. Although I did "love" the use of Muse in the trailer, so i guess it's got that goin' for it.