Movies

Drew Barrymore's latest romantic comedy might be a half-baked version of 500 Days of Summer, but there is much to enjoy in this (rather epic) tale of a long-distance relationship. The situations are genuine, real-life couple Barrymore and Justin Long have a nice quirky chemistry and the supporting characters deliver an abundance of laughs.

Newly single record label publicist Garrett (Long) meets newspaper intern Erin (Barrymore) at a bar in New York City. Neither is looking for a relationship, but in the space of a few weeks they've fallen head over heels for each other. But when Erin's internship at the New York Sentinel ends, she heads home to San Francisco — forcing the loved-up couple to deal with the trials of long distance. Daily phone conversations and occasional trips to the opposite coast work for a while, but eventually it forces Erin and Garrett to reassess their relationship — and seek the advice of friends and family.

While Barrymore and Long are likeable leads, the real stars are the supporting players. Charlie Day is an absolute hoot as Garrett's flatmate Dan, who has a habit of carrying out serious conversations on the toilet with the door open, listening in on Garrett and Erin's make-out sessions and sprouting graphic sex tales next to bewildered pedestrians on busy New York streets. Likewise, Christina Applegate as Erin's uptight sister Corinne gets a lot of laughs, particularly in her method of subduing her hyperactive child.

Some audiences will be frustrated by Going the Distance's unusual pace. For every hilarious scene there is a flat spot; director Nanette Burstein struggles to find a balance between the gross-out humour and the more tender, serious moments. The movie also feels much longer than its 102-minute run time.

But those who've suffered through long-distance relationships will relate to the scenarios in play. Going the Distance might also be the first romantic comedy in history to have the genre's signature "airport chase" — usually reserved for the climax — take place barely half an hour into the film. It's a clever touch in a movie with ambitions beyond the formula.