Released in Theaters: 9/3/2010
Finally, the first good romantic comedy this year is Going the Distance. And what makes a good romantic comedy? Great chemistry between two, relatable lead characters, real situations and emotions, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and of course, clutch sidekick characters. Let’s start with the chemistry between our leading man and lady, Justin Long as Garrett and Drew Barrymore as Erin. These two have had a long-standing relationship off screen and even if they’re “just friends” now, they’re love for each other onscreen is quite apparent. They just click. The two meet in New York, Long residing there and Barrymore interning for the summer at the New York Sentinel.
From the get-go, Erin is upfront about her temporary stay in New York and both agree to keep it light and fun. This is easy for Garrett, who is no good at commitment, but the two fall easily into a serious romance and when it’s time to part ways, decide to try a long distance relationship. Living on opposite sides of the country is extremely trying on both of them and of course leads to tension and fighting. Eventually, because they really want to make it work, both have to make a decision about moving across the country to be with each other.
It might sound predictable, and Long and Barrymore don’t have the most sophisticated dialogue, but it’s real and even seems like improv at times. Barrymore is hilarious, especially when she gets wasted at the bar and yells at a guy – repeatedly – to suck her dick. Long is equally funny when he goes tanning for the first time. What really made the laugh-out-loud moments were the supporting characters. Long’s guy friends, Dan and Box (Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis), were steady comic relief throughout. The first night Erin and Garrett meet is very funny when they both get high, but what made the scene hilarious is when Day’s character (Garrett’s roommate) can hear them through the walls and begins to play a soundtrack to go along with their hook-up. Later he spends an entire scene having a conversation with Garrett and Box, all while sitting on the toilet drinking a beer. He also has a small obsession with baby pigeons.
Barrymore’s sister and brother-in-law are also very funny, played by Christina Applegate as Corrinne and Jim Gaffigan as Phil. Corrinne is a clean freak and extremely uptight, so it doesn’t go over to well when she discovers her sister and Garrett naked on the dining room table. By this time last year we already had He’s Just Not That into You (which Long and Barrymore both starred in), The Proposal (in my top 5 comedies of the year), and 500 Days of Summer (my #1 movie of 2009). This year we had She’s Out of my League, but that’s more of a straight comedy than a romantic comedy because plenty of guys went to see that without going with a girl.
Going the Distance is definitely a great date movie that both guys and girls will enjoy. It’s no 500 Days of Summer, but as far as romantic comedies go, it’s the best so far this year.
IMDB 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes 51%
Movie Wiseguys 7.5