(2010) 4 Cammila Collar The term "romantic comedy" has become an almost euphemistic phrase, a code word for light, usually uncreative movies that gloss heavily over the romance, and even more so over the comedy. But Going the Distance defies all of these expectations. It's a smart, laugh-out-loud R-rated comedy -- and what's more, it offers a touching, surprisingly realistic depiction of love and relationships. This is probably somewhat helped by the fact that the romantic leads, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, are a couple in real life -- their chemistry and rapport is undeniable from the moment they appear together onscreen. Perhaps more importantly, though, the story doesn't follow the typical romcom formula. We start with Erin (Barrymore), a summer intern at a New York newspaper who's preparing to finish her last year of grad school at Stanford. When she meets Garrett (Long), a talent scout at a local record label, the two hit it off in the kind of giddy, instantly comfortable way that so rarely happens in dating life. But, of course, Erin will be moving to the opposite coast in six weeks, so the two elect to keep things "casual." This plan lasts right up until it's time for Erin to leave, when it becomes clear to both of them that they can't squander their lightning in a bottle, and they decide to keep up their relationship over long distance. The plot that unfolds from this premise is funny and believable, focusing on the hilarity and heartbreak of familiar situations that long-distance couples tend to face -- from opening Christmas presents over Skype to navigating the logistics of phone sex. As you might expect, both of the leads are flanked by supporting characters of the same gender who exist almost exclusively for additional comic relief. Christina Applegate plays Erin's sister, while Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day play Garrett's ridiculous bachelor friends, and all of them offer tremendous, possibly improvised Apatow-style F-bomb-laden dialogue that sometimes keeps the laughter going so unrelentingly that there's scarcely a chance to breathe. It's an impressive feat from a genre that usually relies on tired, worn-out jokes and predictable outcomes, but Going the Distance rises to the challenge -- and it even does so with heart.

cast-crew for Going the Distance on AllMovie

Going the Distance (2010)

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Going the Distance

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Brief Nudity
Drug Content
Profanity
Sexual Situations

genres

Comedy

sub-genres

Romantic Comedy

category

Feature

directed by

Nanette Burstein

countries

USA

release date

September 3, 2010 (USA)

run time

97 min.

produced by

Offspring Entertainment

released by

New Line Cinema

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cast

Drew Barrymore: Erin

Justin Long: Garrett

Charlie Day: Dan

Jason Sudeikis: Box

Christina Applegate: Corrine

Ron Livingston: Will

Oliver Jackson-Cohen: Damon

Jim Gaffigan: Phil

Natalie Morales: Brandy

Kelli Garner: Brianna

June Diane Raphael: Karen

Rob Riggle: Ron

Sarah Burns: Harper

Terry Beaver: Professor

Matt Servitto: Hugh

Leighton Meester: Amy

Tuffy Questell: Airport TSA Agent

Charlie Hewson: Douchebag

Taylor Schwencke: Maya

Mike Birbiglia: Toby the Waiter

Meredith Hagner: Tanning Salon Employee

Benita Robledo: Diner Waitress

Stink Fisher: Muscle Guy

Kristen Schaal: Female Bartender

Graham Davie: Zach

Mick Hazen: Zander

Zach Page: Zeff

Sean Gustavus Tarjyoto: Awkward Nerd

David Bologna: Fame Boy

Cass Bugge: Girlfriend

Sandie Rosa: Girlfriend

Adam Harrison: The Boxer Rebellion

Piers Hewitt: The Boxer Rebellion

Todd Howe: The Boxer Rebellion

Nathan Nicholson: The Boxer Rebellion

Samantha Futerman: Very Young Intern

Natalie Knepp: Very Young Intern

Happy Anderson: Terry

Sondra James: Elderly Woman

Maya Morris: Not It Girl

Jennifer Bronstein: Not It Girl

Maria Conte Di Angelis: Receptionist

Ethan F. Hamburg: Newroom Co-Worker

Anna Gorecky: Diesel Records Secretary

Josephine-Dana April Micari: Diesel Records Secretary

Loretta Fox: Sandy

Carole Raphaelle Davis: Carmen

Ron Bottitta: Creepy Guy

crew

Nanette Burstein: Director
Adam Shankman: Producer
Garrett Grant: Producer, Unit Production Manager, Second Unit Director
Jennifer Gibgot: Producer
Geoff LaTulippe: Screenwriter
Eric Steelberg: Cinematographer
Dana Sano: Musical Direction/Supervision
Mychael Danna: Composer (Music Score)
Peter Teschner: Editor
Kevin Kavanaugh: Production Designer
John Kasarda: Art Director
Peter Rogness: Art Director
Dave Neustadter: Executive Producer
Michael Disco: Executive Producer
Richard Brener: Executive Producer
Catherine Marie Thomas: Costume Designer
David Schlesinger: Set Decorator
Mark Mangini: Sound/Sound Designer
Mark Cotone: First Assistant Director
Caroline Vexler: Stunts
D.J. Surgent: Stunts
Juel Bestrop: Casting
Kathleen Chopin: Casting
Michael Barosky: Sound Mixer
Seth Yanklewitz: Casting
Brainstorm Digital: Visual Effects
Debra L. Ferullo: Makeup
Francesca Paris: Department Head Hair
Frank Salvino: Post Production Supervisor
Glenn Allen: Visual Effects Producer
Ian Blume: First Assistant Editor
J. John Corbett: Visual Effects Supervisor
Jamal Hammadi: Hair Styles
Jay Fortune: Chief Lighting Technician
Jeff Butcher: Properties Master
John James: Additional Hair Stylist
John Stifanich: Special Effects Foreman
Joseph Iberti: Unit Production Manager
Kent Cummins: Costume/Wardrobe
Laura Downing: Costumes Supervisor
Michael Chock: Supervising Sound Editor
Michele Paris: Department Head Makeup
Nina Kawasaki: First Assistant Editor
Norman Douglass: Stunts Coordinator
Paul Aulicino: Sound Effects Editor
Ray Fisher: Leadman
Richard Ford: Music Editor
Richard Friedlander: Visual Effects Producer
Roy Farfel: Stunts Coordinator
Skip Lievsay: Re-Recording Mixer
Steve Kirshoff: Special Effects Coordinator
Steven Lawrence: Additional Make Up
Timothy O. LeBlanc: Re-Recording Mixer
Yumiko Takeya: Second Assistant Director