Romantic comedies are a dime a dozen, with Katherine Heigl and Gerald Butler dominating the majority of the juicy roles. Unfortunately that dime is more like a ten spot and we’re left with some cookie cutter piece of entertainment that leaves us wishing we waited for the dollar theater.
Going the Distance is the story of Erin and Garrett, two souls who have a bad day and wind up in the same bar on the same night. They fall for each other despite the limited time they have together. Not letting that stop them, they decide to continue their relationship while living on opposite coasts. Not exactly a dude flick, but this is a comedy that will have more men surprised by how much they enjoyed it, provided they ever make it to see this film in the theater.
Written, cast and directed excellently, this tale will have you thinking and laughing more than you planned. Justin Long (Accepted) is not the first person that most people would think of to place in a romantic comedy but his relaxed playful nature and strong ability to adlib a scene made us surprised he hasn’t done more films like this. Drew Barrymore (Charlie’s Angels) has existed in a weird place that most children of Hollywood royalty do, having worked in most genres of cinema, she has repeatedly gone back to romantic comedies. This time is makes sense, this is one of her best performances.
Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live) play the two closest friends to Garrett, Dan and Box. Their relationship is portrayed in such a fashion that is so believable and humorous but still has the originality that seems to be missing from most films like this one.
Christina Applegate (Married with Children) was one of the most unexpected people to reemerge from a silent career. She plays Corinne, the sister to Barrymore’s Erin. Her manifestation of a mother and housewife that is in complete control of her domain is down right shocking. Not a role we would expect her to play, she knocks it out of the park and makes us wishing her character was the lead in her own film.
Going the Distance is probably the most under expected film of the summer. Expected to go under the radar this movie is way too funny to go unnoticed. With iconic scenes, like the spray on sun tanning or the Charlie Chaplin costume, and the numerous cameos of many favorite comedians, this film is well worth catching. Especially at a first run theater.
Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, language throughout, some drug use and brief nudity.
