Directed by Nanette Burstein, Going the Distance is not your typical Rom-Com (Romantic Comedy). It’s the story of Garrett, (Justin Long, Drag Me To Hell and Galaxy Quest), fresh off a relationship who meets Erin (Drew Barrymore, E.T. and Donnie Darko) a wannabe reporter on an internship in New York. They meet in a bar over a game of Centipede, have a few drinks, yada yada yada, they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. Trouble strikes when Erin’s internship ends in New York and has to return to California to finish her Master’s Degree. Even being across the country can not stop these two from trying the L.D.R. (Long Distance Relationship).
For me the supporting cast really made the movie. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Charlie Day is brilliant. He plays Dan, Garrett’s well-meaning, dimwitted roommate. Dan is able to hear through the walls in their apartment and Dj’s Garrett and Erin’s first hookup. Garret and Dan’s other best friend Box (Jason Sudeikis, Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock) use his moustache as a “time machine” to hook up with old women. Christina Applegate also does a great job as Erin’s over-protective, clean freak sister. She is married to Jim Gaffigan (who also has a couple of really funny moments).
Overall the film’s biggest problem is the lack of chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. While Justin is funny, charming, doesn’t have messed up teeth and a stupid lisp, Drew Barrymore is the opposite. She still can’t act, isn’t charming, has gross teeth, and a stupid lisp. To remedy this they try to use crude humor. Now I’m in no way squeamish but this film was a little too much. As long as crude jokes stay in the context of the story I am okay with it. Instead, they randomly add extremely crude comments just for the shock of it. I feel like when filmmakers do this, it takes you out of the movie and just distracts from the story.
So America, should you “go the distance”? No, I don’t think so. Overall it was just ok. Luke and I during the screening both turned to each other at a certain point and said, “That’s how the movie should have ended.” but it didn’t. It kept going. I guess it’s the “rom” half of it. My suggestion would be to wait until its in your Netflix queue. Its worth the view just for Charlie Day.
End Communication.
