Blu-ray Review Going the Distance

Directed by: Nanette Burstein Cast: Drew Berrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day, Christina Applegate, Jason Sudeikis Running Time: 1 hr 49 mins Rating: PG-13 Available NOW of Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download

PLOT: Garrett (Long) finally finds a woman (Barrymore) he cares about, unfortunately she’s moving in six weeks. They’ll attempt to make the long distance relationship (from New York to San Fransisco) work.

WHO’S IT FOR? Guys, are you sick of sitting through romantic comedy crap like The Back-up Plan and Leap Year? Yes, you are, and so are most women though they have a tougher time admitting it. This romance gives you reality, charm and funny.

MOVIE:

With Going the Distance, the title is the only bad part. This isn’t a sports movie. But let’s move on to the good stuff.

Most romantic comedies follow a safe pattern that is easily recognizable to the core audience who doesn’t want to think and just wants to escape. For most, if you introduce a sexy co-worker while your partner is away, you know there’s going to be a messy moment. Not here. Here, if it’s used at all, it’s done for a joke. Every scene is an effective moment that hits its mark and moves on. It gives you a formula you are used to, but a result you are not.

At first, I didn’t realize I was sitting down to a rated-R flick. But two f-bombs and some guy talk made me well aware. Sure, they won’t make as much money because PG-13 normally makes more. Instead they when for quality, and didn’t water down the relationship/sex talk. Nanette Burstein cares about entertaining a romantic comedy audience. This is the best of the genre since (500) Days of Summer.

Justin Long continues to evolve into a leading man and Drew Barrymore (especially when with Christina Appelgate and Long) shines.

Even the deleted scenes on this disc are worth taking a look at. If nothing else it gives you another look at Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis working through how to make a joke, even about suicide.

MOVIE SCORE: 9/10

EXTRAS

How to Have a Perfect Date

A Guide to Long-Distance Dating

The Cast of Going the Distance: Off the Cuff

Commentary by Director Nanette Burstein

The Boxer Rebellion "If You Run" Music Video

Behind the Scenes of the Going the Distance Soundtrack

Additional Scenes