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This is a rom-com with backbone. Yes, there are some slightly soppy moments, but mainly this film takes more from the indie comedy flick genre than anything else. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long provide the couple who are Going the Distance in order to sustain a relationship that starts as a fling and turns into more over the course of Erin’s (Barrymore) summer internship at a newspaper in New York.
There is nothing conceited about this film. It is honest, relatable and hilarious. Support for the main couple comes in the form of Garret’s (Long) fantastically comedic duo of best friends, and Erin’s slightly obsessive compulsive sister (Christina Applegate). All together, they make a great and very believable team. Chemistry among this cast is pivotal to a film such as this, as the humour is very reliant on subtleties in delivery. With a less cogent group, this could have fallen on its face.
Although there are moments of down time in the film, the whole script is scattered with comedic jewels that had everyone in the cinema snorting their drink out of their nose. It is a long time since I have heard people really enjoy something like this, and it’s an even longer time since I remember “LOLing” myself. But it’s not hard to find a reason to laugh at this: there are quips, awkward moments and the odd bit of slapstick thrown in; truly something for everyone. And, it is genuinely funny, as opposed to formulaically funny, which makes a real change.
As a film from the indie spectrum, Going the Distance has also managed to score itself a brilliant soundtrack, and some classic music-comedy moments with help from Garret’s roommate Dan (Charlie Day). Alongside this, there are performances from The Boxer Rebellion, and other music from The Cure and Airborne Toxic Event: so even if the film doesn’t give you the warm and fuzzies, it could at least add some new tunes to your collection.
And, after all that, if you’re still not convinced, you also get to see a very, very nice ass. Worth the £6.00 all by itself. Thank you, Mr. Long.
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