Writer: Lai Swee Wei

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Watch this if you liked: “(500) Days Of Summer”, “Valentine’s Day”, “He’s Just Not That Into You”

A cross country love affair is put to the test in this delightful rom-com starring real life on-off couple Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, who both ignited their romance while shooting "He's Just Not That Into You" (2007). "Going The Distance" not only delivers a charming and sincere look at the ever-competing priorities between work and romance, but a positive outlook on long distance relationships in general.

Stanford journalism grad student Erin (Barrymore), who is in her final weeks of summer internship, meets New York record-label lackey Garrett (Long) in a Manhattan bar just hours after Garrett had has been dumped by his girlfriend on her birthday. The chemistry between them is instantaneously as they bond over arcade games, beer, bong, and sex. Neither of them wants to commit, but after a few more dates at Coney Island and cheap Italian restaurants, the two begin to think twice. Inevitably, they decide to give a long distance relationship a go after Garrett's corny last minute dash to the airport, keeping in mind the prospect of Erin nabbing a full-time job in New York and moving there permanently. However, Garrett's foul-mouthed pals (Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis) and Erin's overprotective older sister (Christina Applegate) have doubts about the situation.

From that moment on, scenes are moved between San Francisco and New York as they struggle to keep in touch daily via texting, calling, Skype-ing and even manage to make weekend trips to see the other every few months. The draw factor inevitably boils down to the genuine performances by the leads, hilarious skits, and the difficult copings with bicoastal relationship when jealousy, repressed horniness, and pressure of finding gainful employment sets in.

Justified by its rating, it uses plenty of sexual humour, playing on masturbation, dry-humping, dirty talking, and auto-fellatio jokes which are often quite hilarious if you're into that kind of comedy; namely when Erin and Garrett, in the heat of the moment, started sexing on the dining table unaware of an innocent spectator and the infamous "phone sex" playing on failed fantasies. Moreover, filmmaker Nanette Burstein with her documentary background, cleverly opted for a more realistic approach to Erin and Garrett's chemistry-filled romance by shooting their initial dates using small HD cameras and involving those 'getting-to-know-each-other' questions.

Rarely have we seen movies pertaining to long distance relationships, so watch this if you can as "Going The Distance" delivers a fine representation of the triumphs and heartaches of the situation naturally.

Cinema Online, 31 August 2010