James Bond and Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid Love) are two very similar characters.
Similar in the sense that they both represent (nearly) every man’s dream.
They are so charming they could have any woman they want.
They are both devilishly handsome
They have great fashion sense and clearly wear very expensive suits.
They drive fast cars
And finally both are in ‘6 pack’ shape.
Both characters are the envy of nearly every man.
But the big difference I see between the two movies, ‘Crazy, Stupid Love and any Bond movie is in the how.
Any/every Bond movie spends the whole time showing James to be everything you want to be.
Whether as in Crazy, Stupid Love, the movie shows Jacob to be everything you want to be… and here’s how to do it.
They do this by quickly establishing Jacob’s prowess and then have him coach an ordinary schlub (Steve Carrell) into becoming just like him.
It makes the characters very similar but the philosophies behind the movies very different.
One implores you to watch a god at work.
And the other shows you how to become a highly capable human.
Thomas Duggan 