3/5
(18+) US. Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate
A pleasant surprise, Going the Distance is the first romantic comedy that seems geared for the current recession, with two people – incoming journalism student Erin (Barrymore), dissatisfied NYC record promoter Garrett (Long) – working in struggling industries. Before Erin leaves New York, the two fall for each other, and proceed from the notion that a long-distance relationship might work.
What gives the film an edge is the suspense over whether love really can conquer career ambition, and the acknowledgment it might not. If this makes Going the Distance potentially notable, none of it would make it entertaining if the movie weren’t funny – and it is, thanks to terrific support from Charlie Day as Garrett’s oversharing roommate and Applegate, hilarious as Erin’s OCD sister on the Left Coast. The leads have great chemistry, but what’s refreshing about the film is that it’s beside the point.
