DAN IN REAL LIFE — *** — Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook; rated PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, brief partial nudity, violence)

Like real life, the aptly titled romantic comedy-drama "Dan in Real Life" does get pretty messy. In fact, a couple of scenes and a few story elements here are more than just a little messy.

Fortunately, the film recovers from each of these potentially make-or-break situations, though sometimes it's just barely.

Overall, "Dan in Real Life" is a pretty warm, genuine comedy that succeeds, at least in part, because of some gutsy casting choices. That includes giving comic actor Steve Carell a more dramatic role.

He stars as Dan Burns, a newspaper advice columnist. He's also a widower, who's in charge of his three daughters, Jane (Alison Pill), Cara (Brittany Robertson) and Lilly (Marlene Lawston).

These professional and personal obligations, as well as his continuing bereavement, have kept Dan from having much of a personal life. To his surprise, however, during a family vacation he meets and becomes smitten by the bewitching Marie (Juliette Binoche).

However, he soon discovers that she's already taken. Worse, she's dating his younger brother, fitness trainer Mitch (Dane Cook). That heartbreak only worsens when Dan sees the two of them together at a family reunion and attempts to conceal his feelings.

Co-screenwriter/director Peter Hedges ("Pieces of April") does take a few chances. The film is constantly ping-ponging back and forth between comedy and drama, and the pairing of Carell and Binoche is unorthodox, to say the least. But they have a believable chemistry and seem to be relaxed around each other. Also, Binoche seems to enjoy doing light comedy, and Carell is convincing dramatically.

The supporting ensemble is good as well. Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney play Dan's parents, and the three fresh-faced girls playing Dan's daughters are appealing.

The weak spot is Cook, though to be fair, even he isn't nearly as annoying as he usually is.

"Dan in Real Life" is rated PG-13 for vulgar sexual humor and references, scattered mild profanity (mostly religiously based), brief partial female nudity, and brief violence (fisticuffs, brawling and some vehicular mayhem). Running time: 95 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com