Thanks for checking out our Going the Distance Review
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Nanette Burstein
Staring: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, Ron Livingston
Released: Sept 3,2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
Garrett (Justin Long) has always had a problem with commitment and understanding what women want. He seems to be doing everything right until he learns the hard way that he cannot speak the female language when his girlfriend drops him. That night, his friends want to brighten up his spirits by taking him to a bar. He meets Erin (Drew Barrymore) playing a game and ends up buying her a beer, then winning at bar trivia, and having breakfast with her the next morning. Erin is only in New York City for the summer, and will be returning to grad school in San Francisco in six weeks. They start a no-strings-attached summer fling relationship that turns into a seriously meaningful love affair. They realized that they were meant for each other, but when Erin returns home, will their love survive the distance, between New York City and San Francisco?
THE GOOD
Let me just say that I like the chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. But the REAL stars of this film are the supporting cast. Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis play Long’s buddies and they are a riot. Add that and Christina Applegate reminds us that she should be in more comedies. They add SO much to this film which is refreshing when rom-coms tend to focus on the main cast and the rest is window dressing.
THE BAD
What is awkward about the film is their age. It seems a humour more suited for college kids or a teen comedy. It straddles that awkwardness that it just wouldnt have the same heart if it was younger more impulsive types. It needs the responsibility of mature individuals for them to even pursue this relationship, but everything else suggests sophmoric humour. And we are back to feeling like they should be younger. See what I mean?
Their careers – the basis for the separation seem unimportant and secondary. This extends more disbelief in the situation. This whole movie is an excuse for dialogue and situation comedy.
OVERALL
The entire movie revolves around the banter and humour of character interaction, which is pretty funny, but you have to forget about everything else making sense to enjoy it.
And the end, you have to see Christina Applegate. Its a part you will want to talk about to everyone but I don’t want to spoil that for you.
I give Going the Distance a 5 out of 10 just for making me laugh.
