[Filling the Space is a flexible column where our writers could vent, deconstruct, and work their way around the emotions brought on by TV, films, books, music, and key moments in pop culture. This isn’t meant to be analytical, but instead, a way for us to explore our feelings.]
When it comes to romantic comedies, they don’t always hold up. Whether jokes age poorly or become tasteless because they’re outright offensive, something always stops a film from holding up. Yet, that’s thankfully not the case with Crazy Stupid Love, because even while it’s imperfect, the plot twist allows the film to remain unbeatable.
So much of the reason Crazy Stupid Love is one of the best romantic comedies is entirely because of Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling’s rapport as Cal and Jacob. How the men play off one another, Gosling’s perfectly timed facial queues, the dynamism, and the heartthrob down-bad energy with Emma Stone? The movie is incomparable in this regard. It’s a second chance romance and a new, strangers-to-lovers all at once, making the deeper connection an absolute joy.
I still remember sitting in the theatre back in 2011, realizing what was about to transpire on our screens. The sheer brilliance of the scene lies in the fact that every narrative plot point makes sense. It’s why the plot twist shines. “Nanna” from “Hannah” is an organic mess-up, Bernie and Jessica running in once things start to heat up between Cal and Jacob, then my absolute favorite moment where Jacob simply loses it during the interrogation!? So so good.
While the scene is genuinely hilarious, it’s the thoughtful connections behind it that make it riveting. It’s not a plot twist for the sake of shocking the audience by tying up loose ends, but it’s about revealing different means of influence, too. So much of the reason why it works between Hannah and Jacob is because of everything he learns from Cal. And, because it’s funny without being offensive. It relies on the chemistry between actors to bring a scene to life with natural ease. As Cal and Julianne Moore’s Emily reconnect with every new thing he learns from Jacob. Even the animosity adds up, and it makes complete sense why Cal would be so hesitant to approve of Jacob dating his daughter.
Perhaps what also works is that the dialogue doesn’t poke fun at how serendipitous the moment is. Sometimes, connections like this lose their spark when the characters are aware of it and verbally vocalize everything, making it feel inorganic. But the fact that the emotions are all in the performances and they bloom with the humor is why it works in a way that amplifies the romance, too.
The romance and comedy blend so seamlessly together that few writers have attempted a plot twist similar. It works because of the characters, it works because every card aligns when we look back, and it works because it feels real. Every connection in Crazy Stupid Love is like a brilliant cosmic intervention that was meant to occur once in a lifetime. BRB, rewatching the scene again for a serotonin boost.
Watch the Crazy Stupid Love plot twist on HBO Max’s YouTube account.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Warner Bros.