Dan in Real Life is a 2007 American comedy-drama film, directed by Peter Hedges and starring Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche.

Plot

Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a newspaper columnist, widower and father to Jane, Cara, and Lily in the New Jersey suburbs. His column is also in contention to be syndicated nationally with a newspaper media company. The family takes a trip to the Rhode Island home of his parents (Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney) to visit his family—including his New York City-based brother, Mitch (Dane Cook), a personal trainer—for an annual family get together. Cara does not want to go, as she does not want to leave her boyfriend, with whom she says she fell in love in just three days. But Dan insists that it is not possible to fall in love in three days, and he makes her go. The morning after his arrival, Dan's mother encourages him to go into town for a bit to give his daughters some space. Dan visits a bookstore and a customer named Marie (Juliette Binoche) mistakes him for an employee. Dan and Marie strike up a conversation and continue their talk over breakfast. Marie finally leaves, and tells Dan that she has a boyfriend. Dan returns to his parents' house and is surprised to find that Marie is there, and her boyfriend is Dan's brother, Mitch. Mitch had met Marie at the gym where he works.

Dan and Marie spend the majority of their time trying to deny their attraction to each other. Cara's boyfriend shows up despite the long journey but is sent home by Dan. During a family talent show, Dan plays guitar while Mitch sings Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door." But Mitch forgets the words, and Dan steps in, serenading Marie in front of his brother. Marie is unable to continue to deny her feelings for Dan, and she breaks up with Mitch, which makes him distraught. Before leaving town, she calls Dan, and they meet at a bowling alley. After spending some time bowling, Marie and Dan end up kissing. At this point, Dan's family shows up at the bowling alley. Surprised and infuriated at Dan for his betrayal, Mitch punches Dan in the face and Marie runs out.