Being a fan of romantic comedies can be difficult in these modern times. It has been a long time between drinks and great rom-coms are hard to come by. While Going the Distance isn’t going to rewrite the history books of the genre, it does prove to be a snappy and entertaining entry that should hit all the right bases for a date night trip to the cinema. Owing an obvious debt to the films of Judd Apatow, this film from documentary filmmaker Nanette Burstein (American Teen) is filled with crassness and curse words to appear edgy, but what allows it to succeed is the charm of stars Drew Barrymore (50 First Dates) and Justin Long (He’s Just Not That Into You), its bright and appealing visuals and its refreshing take on the romantic meanderings of thirty-somethings.
Barrymore and Long star as Erin and Garrett who meet each other at a bar in New York City, both are dealing with crushing losses – she, a career, he, a girlfriend – when sparks fly. A mere summer fling develops into something much more like love and when Erin returns to college in San Francisco they begin the perils of a long-distance relationship. Will the growing list of missed holidays, awkward phone sex conversations and exhausting cross-country trips take their toll? Everyone already knows the answer to that, but the clichéd patterns of a modern day romantic comedy aren’t as big a hindrance in this case.
The early parts of this relationship are what make Going the Distance a winner. The writing here is really quite endearing and Burstein’s use of hand-held camera in several scenes helps add spontaneity to the proceedings that enlivens what could have been otherwise stale material. Later on, the long distance issue is handled in an entertaining fashion and it must be said that the good-looking cast are a breeze to watch.
Amongst the supporting players, always a goldmine of underused talent in these films, Christina Applegate (Anchorman) has some fine moments as Erin’s disapproving sister, as do Jason Sudeikis (30 Rock) and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), but the debut screenplay by Geoff LaTulippe is too busy making them filthy and over-the-top. One scene involving a very literal take on the term “toilet humour” is off-putting and the MA15+ rating is earned by an escalating series of jokes that serve no purpose other than to get cheap, easy laughs. Through this though are Barrymore and Long, a couple on screen and off, who make a potentially generic romantic comedy into something more substantial.
Going the Distance is released in Australia on 2nd September
Director: Nanette Burstein
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jim Gaffigan and Ron Livingston
