Movie Mondays: Dan in Real Life with Steve Carrell

In my review of Crazy Stupid Love, I talked about my favorite version of Steve Carrell is when he plays a down-and-out regular guy like in Crazy Stupid Love and Dan in Real Life and realized that I haven't reviewed that movie yet, so here goes.
I love this movie due to it's central theme: the power of love. For Carrell's character, the power of love is so strong that it nearly ruins his life. He lost his first wife and now this widower is raising three little women alone. He hasn't let himself fall in love again--heck, he won't even play the guitar again because he used to play for her--and his depression is palpable. Carrell plays this role of depressed-but-doesn't-realize-it dad adorably well
Then, he meets a woman randomly while running to the store for his extended family, which have all gathered for their annual vacation at his parents' lake house. He and the mystery woman talk for hours, and he opens up to her more in those hours than he has in years since his wife passed away. But she hastily exits and he is left feeling exposed and frankly, in love already from this one encounter.
But here comes the twist: it's his brother's girlfriend, who he wooed by stealing words from Carrell's character's published book. Chaos ensues, and the whole family, including his daughters, hates Carrell towards the end of the movie.
This plot twist makes the movie. We as the audience are in on the secret, and we can't help for root for Carrell to get the girl. The most memorable scene is when Carrell and his brother play a duet for the brother's girlfriend/Carrell's soul mate before the family is in on Carrell's secret love.
The movie showcases love in its purest form: two people meet, they connect over meaningful conversation and basically fall in love at first sight. Nothing physical (except for plenty of longing stares); just a pure emotional connection made that grabs them at their core and won't let go, no matter who they might hurt.
The power of love indeed.