Going the Distance - Drew Barrymore Justin Long - film review

I admit I have been pre-occupied with thoughts of my relationship of late and it's hard to think about anything else. About a week and a half ago I was just googling random keywords and clicking and clicking and then I came across this movie Going the Distance that was due to be released worldwide very soon. Considering the film is all about a long-distance relationship I decided I had to see it!

When I found out that my local cinema had a special preview session for $20 which included a goodie/sample bag filled with various things (including this book Textbook Romance by Zoe Foster). I had to go. I asked my darling if he wanted to come with me and he agreed so away we went. It was my treat too since he always pays for everything.

I cried about 5 times during the movie and he admit he was teary too (but being a guy, held it in well). The movie startled me because it felt realistic and not contrived and fantasy-like like most romantic comedies. In fact it just seemed WAY TOO REAL for the both of us. We're about the same age as the 2 main characters, and both working in 'fickle' and 'unstable' type fields (as were the 2 characters) and not where we want to be in our careers yet. That, and we both also met about 6 weeks before one of us is due to fly away to a far away place...

I didn't have any great expectations per se but I did want to enjoy it as I have enjoyed watching both Drew and Justin in other films before.

I kept wanting to scream out, "But you're both still living in the same bloody country!!! and you're 'only' 4 hours apart by time difference not 8/9 hours!" But all in all I did enjoy the film. There were a lot of sweet moments and a lot of hilarious moments with the sidekicks (Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis) who play Garrett (Justin)'s two friends and Christina Applegate who plays Erin (Drew)'s neurotic OCD sister.

Both my darling boy and I thought it was very realistic (I know I've already said that) and after the movie we spent a long time discussing us... It started off with him thinking that it wasn't going to work and I had to reassure him that it would. And then the tables got turned and I was the one freaking out and crying uncontrollably and then he had to console me! Ha! I guess the film did raise a lot of issues that we hadn't thought about (or hadn't wanted to think about) or talked about yet with made the reality seem all the more painful.

I've never ever been in a long distance relationship (LDR) and either has he but we have faith that it will work out and whatever happens, happens for a reason!

7/10 for the film. Comes out in September in most countries (2nd for Australia, 3rd for USA and 23rd for France).

PS In real life Drew Barrymore and Justin Long seem to have an on again/off again relationship!