Release Date: 2nd September

Length: 102 Minutes

Classification: MA 15+ (Strong Sexual References)

A funny (Yes, I said the F word) and solid film that is a mixture of a conventional romantic-comedy, a quirky (500) Days of Summer styled Rom-Com and a Judd Apatow film. Going the Distance, by first-time feature director Nanette Burstein (Oscar nominated for Best Documentary), is a likeable, often hilarious film that is not without its fair share of glitches.

Going the Distance stars real-life couple Drew Barrymore (E.T, Charlie’s Angels) and Justin Long (Dodgeball, Drag Me to Hell), who play the charismatic Erin and Garrett, a couple who try to maintain a long-distance relationship. One lives in New York, the other in San Francisco so how do they expect to pull off their relationship?

Drew Barrymore has a presence on screen that you either love or hate, and in this rom-com she is great. She has a knack for comedy that will leave you, well, wanting more Barrymore. Justin Long also fairs well as the love interest. Although he is no Johnny Depp, he does an amiable job in what is probably his biggest role to date. The highlights, however, belong to the films supporting cast. Garrett’s best mates are played to hysterical perfection by the wack Charlie Day (the next Zack Galifianakis, aka fat guy from The Hangover) and the more sensible, but still hysterical Jason Sudeikis. However, Samantha Who’s Christina Applegate steals the limelight as Erin’s sister; who knew she could actually act and make you laugh. She is the bomb, and explodes on screen, not letting anyone in the audience get away without a laugh.

What also stands out in Going the Distance is Geoff LaTulippe’s script. The first and second acts are so rich, so funny, that you rarely have time for a breather. Laughs a minute have been lacking from recent romantic-comedies (Yes, that includes you When in Rome and The Back-Up Plan), so it is a delight when something like this hops along. But it’s not just due to the screenplays comedy; the film also has a bright, big heart.

Going the Distance is in no way perfect. The third act is tiresome and drags, taking away some of the energy and enthusiasm of the first two. Nanette Burstein, did well, very well, for her first film, but did not seamlessly interweave the conventional Rom-Com, the quirky Rom-Com and the crude humour of Apatow’s films. The film felt like it wanted to be crude and wanted to be quirky, but it wasn’t consistently so. Perhaps Burstein needed a little more conviction and self-belief, which will hopefully come to her with time.

This is one of the better romantic-comedies of the past few years, so all you males go and take your loved ones to the cinema, NOW. This is not just for the chicks, it is a film that both genders will equally enjoy, and although the film does test one’s patience, in the end everyone should be happy to go the distance.

Credit

Jonathan Trakas