Going the Distance Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two people meet, have a summer fling, and then attempt to make a long-distance relationship work while dealing with the absurdities of modern life, proving that love is just as complicated as finding a decent Wi-Fi signal.

🍿 Going the Distance: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Summer Fling in New York

Erin, a journalism intern from San Francisco, meets Garrett, a music industry employee, in a New York bar. Their connection is immediate, and they begin a casual summer fling, enjoying each other’s company and shared interests. Both acknowledge the limited time they have together, as Erin is set to return to the West Coast at the end of her internship. Despite their initial intentions, their relationship deepens, and they find themselves falling in love. The prospect of separation looms, forcing them to confront the possibility of a long-distance relationship.

The Challenges of Distance

Erin and Garrett decide to attempt a long-distance relationship. They navigate the difficulties of maintaining intimacy and connection across the country, relying on phone calls, texts, and occasional visits. The strain of distance begins to take a toll, with both facing temptations and uncertainties. External pressures also mount, as their friends and family express doubts about the viability of their relationship. Erin’s sister, Corinne, and Garrett’s friends, Dan and Box, offer contrasting perspectives, adding to the emotional complexity.

Career Conflicts and Doubts

Both Erin and Garrett grapple with career aspirations and their impact on the relationship. Garrett explores job opportunities in San Francisco, while Erin considers staying in New York. The sacrifices required to be together become increasingly apparent, leading to tension and arguments. Jealousy and misunderstandings further complicate matters, testing the strength of their bond. They struggle to balance their individual goals with the needs of the relationship, questioning whether they can truly make it work.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Erin (Drew Barrymore): An intern at the New York Sentinel who falls for Garrett but must return to San Francisco.
• Garrett (Justin Long): A record company employee in New York who attempts a long-distance relationship with Erin.
• Will (Ron Livingston): Garrett’s boss at the record company.
• Dan (Charlie Day): Garrett’s eccentric and outspoken roommate who offers questionable advice.
• Box (Jason Sudeikis): One of Garrett’s close friends who is also clueless about relationships.
• Corinne (Christina Applegate): Erin’s pragmatic and overprotective married sister who doubts the long-distance relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Erin: “I’m not gonna be one of those girls who puts her life on hold for a guy.” – Erin expresses her desire to focus on her career and not sacrifice her ambitions for a relationship.
• Garrett: “I just need two minutes. I need to talk to a girl who’s leaving.” – Garrett says this to a TSA officer at the airport, showing his desperation to connect with Erin before she departs.
• Dan: “When I suck my dick, I lie on my back, I throw my legs over my head.” – Dan makes this inappropriate comment during a casual conversation with his friends.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $32,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,804,299
• Worldwide Gross: $42,059,111

💥 Going the Distance Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in theaters and thinking it was okay. The humor was a bit hit-or-miss, but Drew Barrymore and Justin Long had a cute chemistry. Some scenes, like the phone sex scene, were a little awkward and not really funny, but the overall message about the difficulty of long-distance relationships hit home. The supporting cast added some decent laughs, especially Charlie Day. It’s a forgettable movie, but it passed the time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films about relationships”
  • “Those who appreciate Drew Barrymore and Justin Long’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content and dialogue”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “While ‘Going the Distance’ has its moments of genuine humor and relatable situations for anyone who’s experienced a long-distance relationship, it ultimately falls into predictable rom-com territory, lacking the originality to truly stand out.
• A.O. Scott: “The film’s exploration of the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship feels authentic, but is often undermined by crude humor and stereotypical characters. While Barrymore and Long have chemistry, the script doesn’t give them enough to work with to elevate the movie beyond mediocrity.
• Peter Travers: “‘Going the Distance’ attempts to be a raunchier, more realistic rom-com, but it’s uneven in its execution. The strong cast brings some charm, but the reliance on vulgar humor often detracts from the genuine moments of connection between the leads.

Audience Reactions

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long’s chemistry made the movie watchable.: Many viewers appreciated the relatable portrayal of the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship.

Charlie Day’s comedic performance was a highlight for many.: Some found the humor to be crude and unnecessary, detracting from the film’s overall appeal.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag of relatable moments and crude humor, ‘Going the Distance’ is a watchable but ultimately forgettable rom-com that benefits from the chemistry of its leads but is let down by uneven writing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Drew Barrymore and Justin Long were in an on-again, off-again relationship during the filming, which contributed to their on-screen chemistry.”
• “The film features a soundtrack with a mix of indie and popular music, highlighting bands like The Boxer Rebellion, which Justin Long’s character champions in the movie.”
• “Many scenes were filmed on location in both New York City and San Francisco, adding authenticity to the depiction of a long-distance relationship.”

🖥️ How to Watch Going the Distance?

Going the Distance is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, and for purchase or rental on services like Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings. Purchasing options for both physical and digital copies are also available through major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Going the Distance, you might like these similar films:

• Like Crazy (2011): Explores the challenges of a long-distance relationship with a more dramatic and realistic approach.
• Sleepless in Seattle (1993): Classic rom-com centered around the challenges and emotional connection despite geographical separation.
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008): Shares a similar comedic tone and features characters dealing with relationship issues in humorous ways.

🛒 Going the Distance Related Products

• Going the Distance (DVD): Own the film and revisit the laughs and awkward moments, perfect for a rom-com movie night.
• Drew Barrymore Signed Photo: A professionally printed photograph of Drew Barrymore autographed by her. Each photo is unique and one of a kind.
• Top Gun (soundtrack CD): This soundtrack includes the theme song for Top Gun, which is an important part of the movie.
• Funny t-shirts: There were many quotable lines from the movie, that you can put on a t-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Going the Distance features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Either Way” – performed by Generationals
• “Take My Breath Away” – performed by Berlin
• “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” – performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
• “Pulling Us Apart” – performed by The Boxer Rebellion

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Famed composer Bill Conti explains birth of ‘Rocky’ theme

Ever wondered how that legendary ‘Rocky’ theme came to be? Bill Conti, the composer himself, spills the beans! It’s amazing to hear the story behind such an iconic piece of music. You won’t believe the inspiration!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hKFEckIt-h8

Rocky – Low Budget💲? Just Add Lines 💸

This short parody brilliantly captures the essence of Rocky’s low-budget charm. It had me laughing out loud! If you’re a fan, you HAVE to check out this hilarious take.

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