Rating: 3.75 of 5  

This movie wasn’t really what I expected. From the preview I expected a little funny and more sex than there actually was. But it was *really* funny, much funnier than anything I’ve seen in a long time. And not a contrived sort of funny, just a really natural kind of funny.

I like Steve Carell when he’s not trying to be funny and in this he was a really understandable, normal guy. I loved to see the evolution of his character and how believable it was.
Ryan Gosling wasn’t entirely what I expected. I think I expected more charm, less gangster but he commands a room and he’s rough but self-assured which makes an interesting character that is also flawed.
And Emma Stone is fabulous. She’s always adorable and handles awkward so delightfully. I can’t imagine anyone else in this role who is both appealing and beautiful without being a stereotypical, glamorous sort of starlet with no depth who is only trying to be interesting.

The directing wasn’t as seamless as I would have liked; there were too many moments of characters silently traversing their mental and emotional states as the music played. There wasn’t always great narrative transition between scenes. But there was also moments where that wistful pondering to the music was absolutely perfect and one particular very unique sort of montage.

Best of all it was surprising. It was unexpected and hilarious and sweet and a really good movie.

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