‘Going the Distance’ takes crude journey

Staff Reporter

Published: Thursday, September 9, 2010

Updated: Thursday, September 9, 2010 03:09

The romantic comedy "Going the Distance" opened in Savannah theaters Sept. 3. The film centers on the challenges long-distance relationships can present.

Erin (Drew Barrymore), a 31-year-old with an off-track life after a relationship debacle, and Garrett (Justin Long), freshly dumped and allergic to commitment, meet in a bar.

They embark on a casual summer fling that becomes deeper once Erin departs for San Francisco. The two then proceed to struggle with an entire continent's expanse between them.

More typical of a real life relationship, it isn't long before the couple realizes that it takes a lot more than love to keep their romance from fizzling out.

The comedy of the movie mainly arises when they are apart as their friends and family insist on advising the couple.

Erin's overly protective sister, clean-freak Corrine (Christina Applegate), liberally shares her opinion on the potential failure of Erin and Garrett's relationship.

Dan (Charlie Day) and Box (Jason Sudeikis), Garrett's friends, encourage him to chase Erin and make the sacrifices necessary to keep the relationship going. Mostly, their characters are there as voices of reason but also as consistent supplies of crude entertainment.

The theme of the movie is the only good thing about the hour and 43 minutes of film.

On top of the theme, the movie routinely combines crude adult humor and romance. This makes the film as awkward as it is funny. Barrymore's splendid acting and Long's geeky personality made the characters likable, which saved the movie from being a complete disaster.

However, compared to Barrymore's previous performances in romantic comedies, such as "The Wedding Singer" and "Never Been Kissed," this movie is sub-par. She has yet to top her own starring roles in blockbusters such as "Charlie's Angels."

All in all, "Going the Distance" is a more straight-to-DVD than a theater must see. My investment in the box of gummy worms at the theater was more satisfying than the $7 spent to see the film itself.

3.5 out of 5 stars

A New Line Cinema Production

Directed by Nanette Burstein

Starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long and Christina Applegate

Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, language throughout, some drug use and brief nudity.

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