GOING THE DISTANCE
US, 2010, 103 minutes, Colour.
Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, Ron Livingston, Jim Gavigan.
Directed by Nanette Burstein.
If you go the distance, you may appreciate this 2010 romantic comedy. On the other hand, you may not.
It’s a story of two people in love who are separated (one in New York, the other in Los Angeles) who miss each other, try to keep connected but who fall foul of what happens to so many couples, job opportunities which favour one and disadvantage the other.
So far, so ordinary enough.
The couple is played by Drew Barrymore and Justin Long (who have been together in real life so the relationship is not as realistically far-fetched as might at first appear – as well as testing credibility during the film). One trouble is that Drew Barrymore is such a strong personality, even when acting as hesitant and indecisive, and Justin Long is rather laid-back. When she says she can’t make a decision by herself, we are inclined not to believe her.
The other trouble is the screenplay which has taken a very lazy way out of trying to write characters who have some distinctive personalities by inserting crass language and expressions wearyingly often. It’s not the bodily function jokes (of which there are many), but the constant incidental swearing for no good or realistic reason. Yes, people do talk like this, but that does not make it any less wearying either. The language tends to sabotage the action and the comedy.
Maybe Drew Barrymore’s next romantic comedy will be better.
1. 21st century romantic comedy? Those who founded charming? Those who did not?
2. The San Francisco settings, the New York settings? The business world? Of young adults? Apartments, sharing, workplaces? Going out, bars, restaurants? The musical score and songs? The crass jokes, the wearying crass language?
3. The significance of the basic theme, the possibilities for long-distance relationships? For love? The sex? For commitment?
4. Erin, Drew Barrymore, feisty, the studies, her job, reporting? The authorities? Finishing in New York? The plan to return to San Francisco? Meeting Garrett short-term relationship?, falling in love, possibilities for commitment? The pressure from her sister? Her brother-in-law? Her friends? The nature of the relationship, its continuing over six weeks? The discussions for each of the pair, a possible commitment, despite the distance?
5. Garrett, Justin Long, his work, the record company, the bands, likes and dislikes? The influence of his friends? The chance meeting with Erin, short-term encounter, falling in love, the meetings, his work, remaining in New York City, the long-term relationship?
6. Erin and her sister, her character, protective, controlling, her husband, his comments?
7. Garrett, his friends, the characters, influence, out with them, listening to them?
8. The workplaces, the bosses, jobs and commitments?
9. The crisis, the effect on Erin and Garrett, the resolution – what future?
