Steve Carell stars in ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’

The movie: "Crazy, Stupid, Love"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon

Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

The story: After a seemingly happy suburban couple splits up, the once-devoted husband turns to an expert ladykiller for advice on living the bachelor life -- as those around him experience their own romantic torments.

The buzz: Ficarra and Requa, who made their directorial debut with 2009's offbeat "I Love You, Phillip Morris," wrote the cult favorite "Bad Santa" -- but they didn't write this romantic comedy. It's from screenwriter Dan Fogelman , whose credits range from the animated romps "Cars," "Bolt" and "Tangled" to the upcoming Seth Rogen-Barbra Streisand comedy "My Mother's Curse," which recently wrapped production in Las Vegas.

By Carol Cling