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“Going the Distance” follows that pattern. At the beginning, Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justin Long) aren’t interested in finding true love. But they’re both fans of the old arcade game, “Centipede,” so how long could they stay apart?
The actors apparently have an on-again, off-again relationship in real life, and some of that must’ve bled over because they go well together on screen. As a viewer, it was easy to accept that Erin and Garrett belong together.
But there’s a problem.
When Erin’s stint as an intern at a New York newspaper ends, she has to go home to San Francisco to finish her degree.
There still are funny moments to be had, but this begins a transition from romantic comedy to drama.
“Going the Distance” is about the inherent difficulties of long-distance relationships, when every get-together is bittersweet because it’s going to end sooner rather than later.
If you walk into the theater expecting a laugh riot, you won’t find it. There are humorous supporting performances by Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, Charlie Day and Jim Gaffigan.
It seems as though the filmmakers were trying to cash in on the recent trend of mixing crude humor with romantic comedy. A couple of scenes, particularly one at the dinner table, come off as self-conscious injections of comedy.
With all that said, I kept wondering how Erin and Garrett were going to work out their long-distance problem.
I give “Going the Distance” a B minus.
It’s showing at Malcos in Tupelo, Oxford, Corinth and Columbus, as well as Hollywood Premier Cinemas in Starkville.
Look for movie reviews in Scene on Thursdays, and listen each Tuesday morning on Wizard 106.7 between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m.
Wizard Review
Kelli Karlson with Wizard 106.7 gives "Going the Distance" an A. "I will be seeing this over and over and over again."