STEVE CARELL gets semi-serious for his new slice-of-life dramedy, 'Dan In Real Life,' in theaters October 26.

Carell plays Dan Burns, a newspaper advice columnist who is an expert on relationships -- but struggles to connect in the real world.

"This movie ... in no way, shape or form mirrors who I am," Steve joked to our KEVIN FRAZIER, "because the character is a kind, generous, warm, likable human being. And I am none of those things. So that, I think, just speaks to what a great actor I am."

A single parent of three daughters, Dan just can't catch a break, between his parents (DIANNE WIEST and JOHN MAHONEY), who hold on way too tight, and his brothers and sisters, who always seem to give him a hard time. And when he falls for that special girl (JULIETTE BINOCHE), she just happens to be his brother's (DANE COOK) girlfriend.

On Juliette, Steve quips, "She is a horror show, have you talked to her? Oh, people call her luminous, come on? Really? Actually, we have a shower scene in this movie ... only reason I did it. I read the script, I'm like, 'I do a shower scene with Juliette Binoche, I'm doin' it.'"

'Dan In Real Life' was directed by PETER HEDGES ('Pieces of April'), who also co-wrote 'About A Boy' and penned 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' based on his novel.