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The Vow

A saccharine and paint-by-numbers slice of romance, which is largely boosted by the appeal of its two leads.

Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (3D)

The under-utilised 3D adds little to this prequel, which only serves as a sore reminder of the brilliance of the original films.

Any Questions For Ben?

The talented bunch of actors ably cut through the surface gloss, but it’s tough to remain invested in the plight of the self-absorbed lead.

Shame

It starts off as brutal but arresting stuff, and the two lead performances are scorching, but disappointingly dissolves into a case of tragedy for the sake of tragedy.

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Going The Distance (Film)

by Cara Nash | August 31, 2010 13:47 | Edited August 31, 2010 13:49

While occasionally opting for cheap laughs, this romantic comedy is entertaining, warm and feels surprisingly rooted in real life.

Given the slew of romantic comedies released this year with highly unpredictable premises - The Back-Up Plan, When In Rome, etc. - Going the Distance is a welcome surprise as a film which, at its core, is dealing with real relationships and real romantic dilemmas. While not quite in the same league, it's a film more in line with the sentiment of last year's (500) Days of Summer.

 

After being dumped, record-label junior executive Garrett (Justin Long) meets Erin (Drew Barrymore), a journalism grad student in the final weeks of her summer internship at a New York paper. The two hit it off immediately, bonding over beer, bong hits, arcade games and The Shawshank Redemption and embark on a six week whirlwind romance. When Erin's internship comes to a close and she has to return to San Francisco to complete her degree, the pair gamely decide to keep their romance alive via webcams and frequent-flyer miles.

 

Directed by Nanette Burstein - who produced the stylish teen documentary American Teen - the film contains a lot of indie traits; from the hipper-than-thou soundtrack, animated title sequences, references to YouTube and iPhone messages complete with smiley faces appearing on screen. While many of the references to new media may cause some to cringe, a lot of it rings true with regard to how modern communication and technology impacts and helps maintain relationships.

 

Despite its hip tendencies, there is a real substance underlying this film, partly the result of the easy chemistry Long and Barrymore share on screen. Rather than introducing contrived plot devices to break the couple up such as drunken affairs with co-workers, Going the Distance smartly reveals that the real complications in a long distance relationship can be the genuine pangs of loneliness and the inevitably tough decisions that have to be made.

 

At times this poignancy seems at odds with the film's in-your-face vulgarity - largely in scenes with Garrett's buddies. However, the film works best when it isn't trying so hard for wall to wall laughs, resonating most in its subtler moments.