Going the Distance Released 10 September 2010 Director Nanette Burstein Starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, Ron Livingston Writer Geoff LaTulippe Producer(s) Jennifer Gibgot, Garrett Grant, Adam Shankman Origin United States Running Time 102 minutes Genre Comedy, romance Rating 15A

45

Yawn.

Nanette Burstein directs Going the Distance, a romantic comedy/date movie that centres on the trials and tribulations of long-distance relationships. With nothing else to add to the plot, there would want to be something spectacular going on in the direction of the movie to add some element of entertainment, but I'm sorry to say that there really isn't. Boring from start to finish, I just can't get my head around the fact that such dull, lifeless movies continue to be made and attract hapless, boring individuals that spend almost ten euro in the cinema to see something like this, and support the idiotic trade in Hollywood money-making. While my comments may offend fans of the genre, and the movie's biggest star Drew Barrymore, let me make it clear that my resentment is not really aimed at these targets- rather it’s the formulaic, repetitive nonsense of beautiful people falling in love, dealing with various obstacles to their relationship along the way, wise-cracking friends and sensible sisters in tow, leading to the obvious resolution where love conquers all and everything ends happily ever after.

To its minor credit, there are a few elements that stopped me from egging the cinema screen in pure frustration at the weak jokes and drawn out plot. The main actors, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, have a tangible chemistry, (possibly due to their off-screen romance) that works well, and there are certain points in the movie where you really do feel for them, as the familiar pains of being apart from your loved one resonate a little deeper than usual in this mind-numbing style of movie. The supporting cast also admirably try their best to make the most of a lacklustre script, as Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis are quite believable and entertaining as two guys trying to cheer up their lovelorn buddy in typical guy fashion.(i.e., bringing him to a bar). Christina Applegate plays the neurotic, concerned sister and for an actor who I've found irritating for most of her career (yes- Anchorman included) I was pleasantly surprised by her honest and humorous portrayal of a married woman with kids, who just wants the best for her sister. In addition, anyone that's ever been in a long distance relationship knows the real struggle of maintaining passion and closeness when the only contact is via phone calls and emails, and in ways the movie portrays these difficulties quite well in an authentic, simplistic fashion.

However, notwithstanding the actors efforts and the occasional teary moment as the couple experience heartbreak when the distance almost becomes too much for them to bear, the movie plods along at an uneven pace, and nothing develops. Even for a movie such as this, usually there are climactic moments, twists, and turns along the way where things become slightly more interesting- but that just doesn't happen here. At one point my interest was awakened when Kristen Schaal appears as a bar girl and is hilarious as always -you might recognise her from Flight of the Conchords, and I was excited by the fact that there was some actual credible, comedic talent on board- but unfortunately she appears in one scene only. This may be obvious, but isn't it a big mistake to give the funniest actor the smallest role in a romantic comedy?

Friends of mine have been in similar situations portrayed in this film, where I've had to listen to them rattle on about sexual frustration, loneliness, and a fear of love fizzling out when it has so little to support its survival. I listen to them because they are my friends, but I'm not these people's friends- I'm at a movie, and I expect to be entertained goddammit. Don't waste your time with this one.

- Eadaoin Browne