Going the Distance (2010)

I'd wanted to see this when it came out in theaters but plans fell through every time I tried. Finally the timing was perfect for a date with my favorite romantic comedy friend (whom you might recall from last year's rom-com series), and we enthusiastically sat down for a commentary-fueled viewing of Going the Distance. Garrett (Justin Long) is a somewhat immature dude who's bad at commitment and works for a record company. Erin (Drew Barrymore) is a summer intern at a major New York newspaper, completing her journalism degree at Stanford after a failed relationship got her career off-track for a few years. The two begin dating a few weeks before she leaves for San Francisco, and decide to see how it works as a long-distance relationship because they like each other so much.

With a script riddled with swear words and generally realistic dialogue, a cast of likable actors with appreciatively regular levels of attractiveness, and a couple who actually have chemistry with one another, Going the Distance manages to be a damn enjoyable comedy. I was surprised by the R rating, but pleased because it allows the film to be more frank in its language and depiction/discussion of sex. The dialogue is funny and ridiculous but does sound like things people could actually say in real life, and I love how potty-mouthed Drew Barrymore's character is. Then again I generally just love Drew Barrymore. She's so cute, and always comes off as grounded and unassuming. The fact that she directed one of my favorite movies of 2009 just makes me appreciate her more.

While Going the Distance features a fantastic supporting cast (including Charlie Day doing his best "Charlie from Always Sunny" impression) and a refreshingly realistic view of both relationships and the current state of employment affairs (this movie is VERY "boo this economy/the internet killed our jobs"), it suffers from poor pacing and a few cliche romantic comedy forced situations. The back and forth between New York and San Francisco and the frequent "This sucks, what are we going to do"'s are typical of a long-distance relationship, I know, but it makes the narrative itself drag on by the end. I have to say, though, (Spoiler Alert) I love that she chose a great job over a boy. I don't care how anti-romantic that sounds. It made a lot of sense to me.

Anyway, fun movie, fun people, good soundtrack, realistic script, and a lady director. Cool times.

3.5/5

Pair This Movie With: This put me in the mood for a Drew Barrymore rom-com double feature. The Wedding Singer or Never Been Kissed are my favorites.