Going the Distance

You know the felling that you get when you're excited to see a movie? Cause you hope it's gonna be really good? And even the previews were funny? But you even read a review and they like it, so you are hoping that it's going to be just as you've initially hoped?! Well 'Going the Distance' is that movie. Probably even BETTER! I like Drew Barrymore, even in ROM COMS (i.e. Fever Pitch, I'm a fan!) she's funny and enjoyable. I also like Justin Long. But the two of them have truly great on-screen (and maybe off-screen? who can keep up with this on-again off-again couple?!) chemistry.

Going the distance is so enjoyable because of a few different reasons, but the main one is that it's a pretty good representation of a real relationship. Almost as real as they get on the screen. One could argue 'The Kids are All Right" is another recent example of a real relationship portrayed on screen and it's true... but in typical big Hollywood rom coms, the relationships are all a bit too fantasized. And I'm not saying that this one doesn't have a fairy tale ending, but getting to that fairy tale ending involves hard work, potential life changes and people talking about these things like adults... you get what I'm trying to say?!?!... what Geoff LaTulippe does with the screenplay is gives us a taste of what one of these long distance relationships might really be like. [I just read on IMDB that he based this off of close friend/the film's producer's real long-distance relationship.] Reading other reviews, this is one common thread, even Barrymore supposedly was drawn to the script because of the "real" factor.

What I also liked about this film was how far removed from technology it seemed. Sure during some of the "long-distance" montages they're shown texting and their texts are displayed on screen for us to read... but you don't once see cell phones out and being used when they're hanging out together. Sure Long's cell phone pisses his friends off cause he's on it so much texting Barrymore in San Fran, but when Barrymore, Long and co. are hanging out at the bar, the cell phones are gone. So much of today's friendships and social 'hang out time' gets lost in people being too connected [I fall victim to this criticism too sometimes]... but it was nice to see friends enjoying their time, minus the smart phones. Plus, they love top gun and the game Centipede. 80's flashback! But in a good way!!

Long and Barrymore have great on-screen chemistry. I'm sure it helps that they were together when filming this, but they really do look and act great together... one couple you're finding yourself routing for. I found myself laughing pretty much throughout the whole film. Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jim Gaffigan and Christina Applegate are all perfectly funny sidekicks. I was truly smiling throughout this whole movie.

So if you're looking for a rom com that you can bring the Boyfriend to too... definitely don't miss this one. I've been cutting back on my dvd buying lately... but this one is definitely one to have on my shelf.