Carl's Date

Plot
Carl's Date Carl Fredricksen, the lovable and adventurous octogenarian, finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the loss of his wife Ellie, Carl is left with a vast amount of time on his hands and a deep sense of loneliness. It isn't until he meets a charming elderly woman, who shares his passion for adventure and his love for the memories they created together, that Carl is persuaded to go on a date with a lady friend. However, as excited as Carl is about this prospect, he admits to being utterly clueless about how dating works these days. Feeling anxious and unsure of himself, Carl turns to his trusted friend Dug, a goofy and endearing golden retriever, for guidance. Dug, with his enthusiastic and optimistic spirit, decides to take it upon himself to become Carl's unofficial relationship coach. As Carl seeks advice on how to navigate the complexities of modern dating, Dug steps in with his own brand of canine wisdom. Dug's approach is refreshingly straightforward. He emphasizes the importance of being yourself, being polite, and being willing to listen. However, it soon becomes apparent that Dug's advice is heavily influenced by his own experiences as a dog. He suggests that Carl should shower his date with attention and affection, be willing to share his food, and always, always let her pick the activity. While these tips may have worked wonders for Dug in his relationships with Ellie and Russell, they may not be entirely suitable for human dating. Despite his reservations, Carl finds himself warming up to Dug's suggestions. He takes a deep breath, puts on his best smile, and sets off on his date with a newfound sense of purpose. As he gets to know his date, a lovely woman named Edna, Carl begins to realize that things are not quite as simple as Dug had made them out to be. Edna, while charming and witty, has a unique set of quirks and eccentricities that make her a fascinating, yet sometimes perplexing, companion. Throughout the date, Carl struggles to balance his own needs and desires with the expectations of his date. He must navigate the complexities of conversation, learn to listen actively, and figure out how to connect with someone on a deeper level. While Dug's advice was well-intentioned, it has left Carl feeling more confused than ever. As the evening wears on, Carl begins to realize that the key to a successful date lies not in following a set of predetermined rules or tips, but in being genuine and true to oneself. He must learn to let go of his preconceptions and allow himself to be present in the moment. It is only when he is able to do this that Carl is able to truly connect with Edna on a deeper level. The date ends with a surprise twist: Edna is not interested in Carl for romantic reasons, but rather for his adventurous spirit and his passion for the memories they made together. Carl, while initially disappointed, is ultimately grateful for the clarity this has brought him. He realizes that the real magic of relationships lies not in finding a partner to spend the rest of your life with, but in sharing experiences and creating memories that will stay with you forever. As for Dug, our lovable canine friend learns a valuable lesson about the importance of understanding cultural nuances and differences. While his advice was well-meant, it ultimately fell flat because it was based on his own experiences as a dog. Dug's growth and development serve as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned advice can sometimes be misguided. In the end, Carl's Date is a heartwarming story about the importance of embracing uncertainty and finding one's own path in life. It is a reminder that even in our most uncertain moments, we are never truly alone. And, as Dug would say, "Squirrel!"
Reviews
Cohen
① Over a decade since the original feature film, now suddenly a spin-off short appears, bridging a generational gap in memory. ② Back in the feature film, the old man was portrayed as a steadfastly loyal man, unable to forget his late girlfriend. However, now that she's gone, a golden-age romance for the widower wouldn't be out of place. But to profess his love to the photo of his deceased girlfriend before the date, and to state that he won't be too intimate with his date that night, feels like gilding the lily. It only shows that this old man wants it both ways and lacks respect for his date.* ③ The short eight-minute plot has no significant ups and downs. The story, humor, and message are all remarkably bland.
Mila
\#23.06.15\#\#amcPacificPlace\# The short film attached to Elemental continues everything from Up, the dog and Carl are both great.
Isaac
It's hard to imagine such an endearingly eccentric old man embracing a second spring in his life, the screenwriter is truly a genius!
Mila
Seeing "Carl's Date" playing alongside the Cantonese version of "Elemental" today, I almost thought I walked into the wrong theater. This kind of surprise is like buying a box of braised pig ears from a cooked food stall, and the vendor throws in a whole scallion (literally a single stalk; not a box, and definitely not just picking one up) for you – just ridiculously unexpected.
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