Going The Distance

Romantic comedies tend to be the movie genre I try to avoid the most, outside of indie horror flicks and anything involving Miley Cyrus. So, “Going The Distance” wasn’t very high on my must-watch list. In many ways, it really is just another chick flick meant to raid young men with significant others’ wallets, but in many others it delves a little deeper into the core of relationships and shows you want it truly means to be in love.

“Going The Distance” is the story of Garrett (Justin Long) and Erin (Drew Barrymore). Garrett is a moderately successful music producer while Erin is a lowly intern at the New York Sentinel, a failing newspaper. They awkwardly meet at a bar, and unlike most awkward bar meetings, hook up that very night. There’s a catch to their budding relationship though, Erin is moving back to San Francisco in six weeks. They both decide to not get into a relationship, but to no one’s surprise at all they get a little attached and decide to go the distance (Hey! That’s the name of the movie!). And anyone who has witnessed or been a part of a long distance relationship knows that trouble lies ahead.

What sets “Going The Distance” apart from its many counterparts is its lack of cheesiness and brutal honesty. Long distance relationships are hard and both Erin and Garrett do their best to keep it together; but things keep popping up. There is a potential suitor for each in their respective cities. Awkward phone sex just exasperates the situation. And don’t even mention the angry calls about dropping their comfortable lives to go and live in a different city.

The very best part about “Going The Distance” is the supporting cast, all of who are at a minimum ten times funnier then the main characters. You’ve got Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, and Jim Gaffigan to name just a few recognizable faces. Charlie Day especially shines, dressing up like Charlie Chaplin, but coming out more like Hitler and constantly asking people why there are no baby pigeons in New York City (I wonder that myself now). Maybe one of the greatest scenes in the film has Erin and Garrett, who haven’t seen each other in months, get undressed in Erin’s sisters’ house and start to have sex on the kitchen table. When the lights flick on, they find Jim Gaffigan eating a sandwich at the same table telling them to go away because he was there first.

At the end of the day, Erin and Garrett’s relationship feels a bit forced, and I may never get over Justin Long being cast as the love interest. But it shows that personal sacrifice is the only way to make it work. I wouldn’t go the distance to see this movie, but I might take a leisurely stroll to it. Maybe a brisk jog for the supporting cast at least.

2 out of 4 stars

-Christopher O'Connell