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Crazy, Stupid, Love

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a 2011 American romantic comedy film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and written by Dan Fogelman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a 2011 American romantic comedy film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and written by Dan Fogelman. It stars Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone, and follows interconnected relationships after a middle-aged man’s marriage falls apart. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and is rated PG-13.

Plot

The story begins when Cal Weaver’s marriage collapses and he is forced to re-enter the dating world. He is guided by Jacob Palmer, a charismatic bachelor, while the film explores several overlapping relationships. The film centers on Cal Weaver, whose life changes after his wife asks for a divorce.

Cast and characters

Steve Carell plays Cal Weaver, Ryan Gosling plays Jacob Palmer, Julianne Moore plays Emily Weaver, and Emma Stone plays Hannah Weaver. The ensemble also includes Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon.

Production

The film was directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa from a screenplay by Dan Fogelman. It was produced in the United States and released by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Release and reception

Crazy, Stupid, Love was released in 2011 and received a PG-13 rating. It is listed as a romantic comedy film with a runtime of 118 minutes.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Cal Weaver, whose life changes after his wife asks for a divorce.
  • It follows multiple interconnected love stories rather than a single romance.
  • The cast also includes Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon.
  • Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film.
  • The running time is 118 minutes.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canada and is widely available to Canadian audiences through cinema, home video, and streaming platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is Crazy, Stupid, Love about?
It follows Cal Weaver after his wife asks for a divorce, and shows how his life changes as he re-enters the dating world and becomes involved in several connected relationships.
Who directed Crazy, Stupid, Love?
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa directed the film.
Who wrote Crazy, Stupid, Love?
Dan Fogelman wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in Crazy, Stupid, Love?
The main cast includes Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone.
What genre is Crazy, Stupid, Love?
It is a romantic comedy film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy,_Stupid,_Love
    Supports: 2011 American romantic comedy film; directors; writer; cast; basic premise
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crazy_stupid_love_2011
    Supports: directors; writer; distributor; PG-13 rating; genre; release date; runtime; box office
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570728/plotsummary/
    Supports: plot summary involving Cal Weaver and Jacob Palmer
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70167068
    Supports: 2011; PG-13; genre; brief premise; cast
  5. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/crazy-stupid-love/
    Supports: film summary; year; central premise