PICK OF THE WEEK
Going the Distance
This appealing romantic comedy focuses more on the comedy than the romance—but that is because lovers Garrett (Justin Long) and Erin (Drew Barrymore) are 3000 miles apart for most of the running time. Meeting in New York one summer, Garrett and Erin bond over a Centipede machine and some beers and then spend the night together. That night turns into six weeks—the amount of time Erin had to spend in New York before she returns to San Francisco for grad school. While she hopes to land a job in the Big Apple, the couple agrees to try a long-distance relationship until they can be in the same city. Their romance has its challenges with jealousy and horniness, causing much of the dramatic and comic tensions. While the struggles the couple face in terms of love vs. career are heighted for dramatic purposes, they are real. Going the Distance is enjoyably, unapologetically crude—a phone sex effort is very amusing, and a slapstick-y tanning salon scene turns out to have a funny payoff. And there is fine comic support provided by the wonderful Christina Applegate as Erin’s uptight sister. Although Going the Distance goes on a little long before it comes to its resolution, viewers will be charmed by the affable Long and the adorable Barrymore.
ALSO OPENING
The Assassin
George Clooney plays the title character, a man hiding out in an Italian village, who finds himself in crisis when he gets his latest—and possibly last—assignment.
Lebanon
An Israeli film about the Lebanon war as seen entirely through the eyes—and the lens—of the men in a tank.
Machete
As Grindhouse promised, this film stars Danny Trejo as the title character, a man out for revenge on the people who betrayed him.
Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1
The second half of the stylish French gangster film series offers more of the same as the first. This film, set in the 1970s, has Mesrine (Vincent Cassel, still mesmerizing) again swaggering through bank robberies, breaking out of prison (twice), romancing Sylvia (Ludivine Sagnier) and meeting his ultimate fate. Director Jean-François Richet keeps the action nimble, especially in the first half of Public Enemy No. 1 during an exciting chase scene. But the story becomes step-and-repeat as Mesrine’s fortunes wax and wane. One interview sequence is meant to give color and depth to Mesrine’s character, another shows his capacity for violence when his reputation is maligned, but these scenes lack an emotional connection. In contrast, a sequence in which an imprisoned Mesrine reunites with his daughter is touching—but it goes nowhere. Moreover, at 133 minutes, this film is too long; some judicious editing could have built more suspense, especially in the latter half. And a replay of the sequence that opened Mesrine: Killer Instinct almost seems unnecessary. Public Enemy No. 1 is mostly for completists, but it’s a shame it is not as strong as the first film.
The Tillman Story
A documentary about football hero turned fallen soldier, Pat Tillman.
AroundPhilly Staff
