CHOOSING which of the people involved in creating this comedy who most deserve praise was not easy, but at its conformist yet credible conclusion, my vote went to writer Dan Fogelman for giving directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa such a great package of dramatic goodies to translate into moving images.

Driving home after a restaurant dinner, when Emily (Julianna Moore) tells husband Cal (Steve Carell) that she’s been unfaithful, he opens the car door and gets out.

Cal picks himself up and starts frequenting a bar where he regurgitates his injured psyche over whoever will listen.

Playboy Jacob (Ryan Gosling) teaches him how to pull chicks including high-school English teacher Kate (Marisa Tomei). Cal’s 13-year-old son Robby is in love with babysitter Jessica who loves Cal! Hannah (Emily Stone) has rejected Jacob, but after a romantic disappointment elsewhere gets back with him.

The permutations of these and other pairings form the foundation for some very skilled performers to strut their stuff for our enjoyment. A long two-hander between Jacob and Hannah stands out, but every performance, including the juveniles, is admirable.

Making us laugh with gentle wit while its issues offer food for thought, the film offers something useful for partners in every kind of relationship to think about, as well as a well-timed surprise.

At all cinemas