The Quarantine Stream: ‘Going The Distance’ Is R-Rated Romantic Comedy Done Right
By Ethan Anderton/Feb. 25, 2021 7:00 am EST
A romantic comedy relies on the chemistry of its two leads, but the trusted family and friends of the lovers in question can also make or break a movie like this. Thankfully, Long has Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day to bounce off of, making for hilarious improvised conversations in the bars, diners and streets of New York City. From toilet beers to the power of mustaches, Sudeikis and Day prove that they deserve their own movie together. Meanwhile, Barrymore confides in the underrated Christina Applegate as her sister, and the deal is only sweetened by the presence of Jim Gaffigan as her bumbling brother-in-law.
But getting back to the romance of it all, what’s great about Going the Distance is that, along with the big laughs, it packs an emotional punch. This is a love story with all the ups and downs of a long distance relationship, and you feel the pain that these two go through as they try to make it work. Both Long and Barrymore have never been better, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them every step of the way. Even if you know that this is the kind of movie that requires a happy ending, that doesn’t make it resonate any less, especially if you’ve ever been in a long distance relationship yourself.
