Opened September 3, 2010 | Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.
Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, language throughout, some drug use and brief nudity
Sorry, girls. I know I said I’d review George Clooney’s newest movie, The American. But… I.Just.Can’t.Do.It! I don’t care for George, I think he’s a terrible actor and I can not bring myself to fork over even a few dollars at the matinee for this one. Ok, even if it was free, I wouldn’t go. Perhaps if I was paid… well, we all know I’m a movie whore anyway! No surprise there. So instead I bring you…
Going the Distance – the new romantic comedy starring real life couple (or are they this week, it’s hard to keep up with Hollywood!) Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. BTW – this was a freebie sneak-peeker for me. The last movie I paid to see was Piranha 3D. So, there you have my taste in movies. Take it as you will.
Where were we… ah yes. Romantic comedy. An R-rated one. And rightfully so. Not for the prudish! Not as juvenile/raunchy as Knocked Up. More in the vein of Wedding Crashers. Very funny, a little more crude than crass, definitely for adults!
The story starts in New York. Our two star-crossed lovers meet and six weeks later she (Drew) has to move back to SF. And so we all embark on a long-distance relationship. Will it work out? Can they manage to stay together? Will Drew ever be able to move back to NYC?! Dun-Dun-Dunnnnnnnnn!
Ok, so it’s formulaic and fairly unoriginal. It’s probably a remake of some Tracy & Hepburn movie from the ’40s that I’ve never heard of (and was probably much better done.) It’s not that I don’t like Barrymore & Long, I do. And they definitely have chemistry. And I LOVED Christina Applegate who plays her (very) over-protective sister. It’s just missing that something special.
It’s just an OK, racy, r-rated romantic comedy. I can’t give it huge thumbs up, even though I found it extremely funny. Because I also found it extremely forgettable. I saw it 6 days ago and I’m having a hard time remembering anything beyond “it was funny”.
My overall review: Netflix it, get your girlfriends together and play a drinking game for every time someone says the word “move”!
Going the Distance official movie website
You can read more of Tiffany’s writing at Mommy in Real Life.
Loading ...
Comments
8 Responses to Going the Distance
Tiffany, interesting review. I had heard some initial good buzz about this movie. I know a couple of the male radio DJ’s I listen to in the morning said it was pretty decent for a chick-flick — that seemed like a rousing endorsement considering the sources!
I am still intersted in seeing it. I think Barrymore and Applegate together as sisters is almost worth the price of admission, but, yeah, it more likely will end up a Netflix choice.
Tiffany, I have to tell you once again how wrong wrong wrong you are about Clooney. He is the total package (looks, charm and talent). I can’t believe I can’t convince you to see it MY way (aka the right way!) :-)
Thanks for the review. I actually have been interested in this movie, and I’m not a big rom-com fan. I think Barrymore and Long are adorable together. Funny but forgettable is okay with me.
And I will take Anya’s side re Clooney – HOT, and a very good actor. Plus, the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard on a man (I have a thing for voices). Maybe #2 after Jon Hamm on my crush list (I just finished watching tonight’s Mad Men and I adore Jon Hamm beyond reason).
Has anyone else seen this movie yet? This is one I do want to see but it will be a Netflix night. For some strange reason I really like Drew Barrymore even when she is in bad movies. I also think Justin Long is pretty cute. I didn’t realize they were still seeing each other.
I think I have mentioned this before but I also love Clooney. I have been watching him since his days on ER. He is one actor I can can never get enough of and the other one that I have a huge crush on is Chris Noth.
I think Drew and Justin broke up and got back together. That’s my recollection, anyway.
I still haven’t seen it, but maybe this weekend. I’ve heard a couple of other reviewers say it’s raunchy – like a rom-com crossed with The Hangover. I don’t have any particular affinity for raunch, but if it’s funny, I’m okay with it. The Hangover was funny.
Well girls, you can have Clooney! I do have to admit that he seems like a really likeable guy. Any time I’ve heard him speak (awards shows, interviews, etc…) he comes across as funny and self-deprecating. So, he at least has that going for him!
I will mention that all I’ve heard is HORRIBLE reviews for The American. Sorry, George! Apparently, even you couldn’t save this one!
I didn’t think it was Hangover raunchy, but there is some male (butt) nudity and LOTS of sex talk!!! Very descriptive sex talk.
For some strange reason I really like Drew Barrymore even when she is in bad movies.~Pam
Pam, I feel the same way. I have always liked her. I can’t believe how young she looks.
Thanks Tiffany, I’ll put it on the “to watch at home list”. I like Drew & Justin as a couple. I think they’re cute as can be.
I’ll make mention here that my parents saw The American last night.
They LOVE George Clooney! They LOVE action/espionage/action-drama type movies.
They hated The American. Said it was terrible. Boring.
So there’s the second hand review: it sucked.
You’re Welcome!