Going The Distance: Movie Review

Going The Distance: Movie Review

Going The Dsitance
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Justin Long, Drew Barrymore, Christina Applegate
Director: Nanette Burstein
So here it is - another rom com tale of boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love and obstacle in their way.
In Going The Distance, Long is Garrett, who's just split up with his girlfriend on her birthday - heading out with his mates Box and Dan (a very funny duo who bring the comedy), Garrett meets up with Drew Barrymore's Erin, an intern who's only in town for six weeks.
Despite that, the pair start seeing each other and fall in love - however, when it comes time for Erin to move back to the other side of the States, they decide they'll continue the relationship in spite of the distance.
And that's where the reality of the situation starts to hit our two lovers...will they make it through?
Fresh, funny and grounded in reality, Going The Distance is a welcome addition to the rom com genre, one which has become synonymous with light fluff which is mawkish and sentimental.
With a witty script delivered by two very amiable leads who have great chemistry, all of the characters in this - including Erin's uptight and anally retentive sister (played by Christina Applegate) feel real and grounded in truth. Sure there's a hint of more adult material in the script but it's that kind of banter and humour which gives the script its sparkle and helps it retain its sense of reality.
From the moment the pair meet, there's a real sense that they're destined to be together - and with the bumps and issues they face - along with the humour (some of it smutty and a little lewd - but funny nonetheless) throughout, Going The Distance is a contender for one of the best rom coms I've seen for a while.

But it's Barrymore and Long who steer this away from mawkish schmaltz and give it real plausibility - for a good night out with a loved one, this is a rom com that couples will adore.