Garrett (Justin Long, Drag Me To Hell) has never been in love. He coasts through relationships, enjoying the physical aspect of them, but is not able to see the “big picture” and far from willing to commit – until he meets Erin (Drew Barrymore, Whip It), a Stanford grad student working an elite internship at one of New York City’s most prestigious newspapers.
When Garrett and Erin meet, they immediately hit off (Long and Barrymore’s real life off-again/on-again relationship adds a genuine chemistry to their on-screen romance). With only six weeks remaining in Erin’s internship, they decide to take their relationship lightly in order to avoid the unnecessary drama from her eminent return to the West Coast – but their bond ends up being stronger than they ever could have predicted and for the first time in his life, Garrett knows what love is.
The majority of the film is dedicated to showing how Garrett and Erin try to make their long-distance relationship work. More than anything, Going the Distance explores all of the different problems that may arise in one.
Nothing really happens in Going the Distance – it is simply about these two trying to make it work – which is going to cause a lot of audiences to be bored. Being dragged out, it runs a little long. The dialogue and conversations are more like those in Superbad than those of typical chick flick like My Best Friend’s Wedding. Going the Distance achieves a certain type of vulgarity that may drive some audiences away. The ending feels like it was tacked on by Hollywood after the film was already made. But with all of its flaws, Going the Distance still works.
Not only are Barrymore and Long strong enough to keep you entertained, side characters Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadephia), Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live) and Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?) give the funniest lines and bits in the whole movie. Day plays Garrett’s repulsive and nosy love-seeking roommate. Sudeikis plays their live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, cougar hunting buddy. And Applegate plays Erin’s neurotic and paranoid protective older sister. The supporting cast of Going the Distance outshines its leads.
If you like adult comedies, then don’t hesitate to check out Going the Distance. While, yes, it is about a relationship, it is far from being your typical “chick flick.” Going the Distance is an honest observation on relationships that just-so-happens to make you laugh a lot – no matter what sex you are.
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
