Going the Distance (C or 2/4 stars)
'Going the Distance' (directed by Nanette Burstein) is a sometimes funny, rarely sweet, often bitter romantic comedy that winds up a bit too uneven for my liking. But there are good things in there. The 1st part of this film shows the 'meet cute' btwn. record producer Garret (Justin Long) & newspaper journalist Erin (Long's on-again-off-again real life girlfriend, Drew Barrymore). She is cute, bubbly, & witty (though, that wit is a bit unfiltered/caustic). He's a nice-guy with a similar disposition. Neither Garret nor Erin are looking for a serious relationship because she's only in NY for 7 weeks, finishing off an internship. But, for purpose of plot, the chemistry sparks fly, they fall madly in love, & decide to keep their relationship alive; despite her heading back to California.
Garret's friends Dan & Box (Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis) poke fun at Garret for obsessing over another relationship. And coincidingly, Erin's high-strung sister, Corinne (a funny Christina Applegate), is desperate to keep her sibling from subjecting herself to another broken heart. The 2nd part of the story showcases the various difficulties that the couple faces in staying together. Being 3,000 miles apart has its limitations. Long-distance relationships stink. But this duo tries to make it work. Their possible solutions include: texting, constant phone calls, phone sex, Garret leaving his loathsome job & moving to Cali, and Erin thinking of turning down a dream job (at a San Francisco paper) to join Garret in NY. If the opposite coast ideas fail, than they're sh*t out of luck; and their romance would end indefinitely. Of course, this is, first & foremost, a Drew Barrymore comedy. So what do you think happens? Naysayers be damned, can they go the distance?
'Going the Distance' is not a bad film. The characters & situations come across as more believable than most romantic comedy offerings. But it's a small, & completely bland film (tonally, stylistically) that tries to mix the bitter with the sweet & comes up a tad short of full effect. Now, the film does a few things quite capably: showing the effects of a long-distance relationship - missing the person, craving to be near to them, craving intimacy, staying faithful, not knowing what the future holds, the excitement of meeting their loved one at the airport, the hushed sorrow when kissing them goodbye as they leave for the plane, etc.
But too much of this movie put a sour taste in my mouth. This is one of those movies that earns it's R-rating because it feels the need to inject the words fu*k, cu*t or any other raunchy/profane term into nearly every line of dialogue of the script; just for the Hell of it. It didn't make me horny. It didn't make me laugh. It just brought attention to the fact that the screenwriter & actors were relishing saying those terms/phrases and saying it with emphasis. Boo. The film doesn't quite get my recommendation because - though it gets the effects-of-a-long-relationship correct, the too-filthy language, exaggerated sexual humor, & the soft 20 minute conclusion (descending into cliche, near-sitcom territory) dropped the film down a level, for me.
I like Justin Long's laid-back, every guy style. I like Drew Barrymore. There's an ease of performance, here. But it isn't enough. And both Garret & Erin aren't the type of people I'd choose to hang around for an extended period of time. They're not evil, just not my type of people. I was about ready for the movie to be over before it got any worse (and it started off with so much potential). So overall, when 'Going the Distance' works, it works well. I could probably count 10 or more times I chuckled to myself. A few moments feel genuine. The supporting characters lent more to the film than would've been expected. Concerning its quality, the film is never overwhelmingly good, nor bad. I consider it perfectly adequate, if forgettable rental entertainment. Filmmakers need to remember, just because your movie is riddled with sex & foul language does not make your romantic comedy edgy. It can be a turn-off when not balanced correctly.
Garret's friends Dan & Box (Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis) poke fun at Garret for obsessing over another relationship. And coincidingly, Erin's high-strung sister, Corinne (a funny Christina Applegate), is desperate to keep her sibling from subjecting herself to another broken heart. The 2nd part of the story showcases the various difficulties that the couple faces in staying together. Being 3,000 miles apart has its limitations. Long-distance relationships stink. But this duo tries to make it work. Their possible solutions include: texting, constant phone calls, phone sex, Garret leaving his loathsome job & moving to Cali, and Erin thinking of turning down a dream job (at a San Francisco paper) to join Garret in NY. If the opposite coast ideas fail, than they're sh*t out of luck; and their romance would end indefinitely. Of course, this is, first & foremost, a Drew Barrymore comedy. So what do you think happens? Naysayers be damned, can they go the distance?
'Going the Distance' is not a bad film. The characters & situations come across as more believable than most romantic comedy offerings. But it's a small, & completely bland film (tonally, stylistically) that tries to mix the bitter with the sweet & comes up a tad short of full effect. Now, the film does a few things quite capably: showing the effects of a long-distance relationship - missing the person, craving to be near to them, craving intimacy, staying faithful, not knowing what the future holds, the excitement of meeting their loved one at the airport, the hushed sorrow when kissing them goodbye as they leave for the plane, etc.
But too much of this movie put a sour taste in my mouth. This is one of those movies that earns it's R-rating because it feels the need to inject the words fu*k, cu*t or any other raunchy/profane term into nearly every line of dialogue of the script; just for the Hell of it. It didn't make me horny. It didn't make me laugh. It just brought attention to the fact that the screenwriter & actors were relishing saying those terms/phrases and saying it with emphasis. Boo. The film doesn't quite get my recommendation because - though it gets the effects-of-a-long-relationship correct, the too-filthy language, exaggerated sexual humor, & the soft 20 minute conclusion (descending into cliche, near-sitcom territory) dropped the film down a level, for me.
I like Justin Long's laid-back, every guy style. I like Drew Barrymore. There's an ease of performance, here. But it isn't enough. And both Garret & Erin aren't the type of people I'd choose to hang around for an extended period of time. They're not evil, just not my type of people. I was about ready for the movie to be over before it got any worse (and it started off with so much potential). So overall, when 'Going the Distance' works, it works well. I could probably count 10 or more times I chuckled to myself. A few moments feel genuine. The supporting characters lent more to the film than would've been expected. Concerning its quality, the film is never overwhelmingly good, nor bad. I consider it perfectly adequate, if forgettable rental entertainment. Filmmakers need to remember, just because your movie is riddled with sex & foul language does not make your romantic comedy edgy. It can be a turn-off when not balanced correctly.