Going the Distance (R, 2010)

Drew Barrymore and her real-life on-and-off beau Justin Long star in GOING THE DISTANCE as Erin and Garrett, two thirtysomethings who hit it off one night at a bar and go on to have a summer fling. Since Erin's leaving New York and moving back to San Francisco after her newspaper internship's over, they vow to keep things light -- but once the six weeks are over, they realize that they like each other a lot more than they first admitted and want to try to stay together long distance. But living thousands of miles apart isn't conducive to a lasting relationship. Can love trump the miles?

There's something authentic in the way that Going the Distance renders a modern-day relationship -- and one conducted from a distance at that: It tries not to sugarcoat the emotional and sexual frustrations that such a setup unleashes. Which may be why the too-neat ending detracts from what is otherwise an entertaining, if a little predictable, romantic comedy.

Still, it's lots of fun. Erin and Garrett's meeting is cute, but not too cute, and there's enough edge in their banter to make it believable. That believability may have something to do with Long and Barrymore's history, as well as director Nanette Burstein's documentary filmmaking credentials. Extra props go to Christina Applegate as Erin's overprotective sister and to Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day as Garrett's best friends, too. Bottom line? Suffice it to say that Going the Distance keeps the journey interesting.