Going the Distance

  • Review Date: September 1, 2010
  • R
  • Genre: Romance
  • 2010
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Edgy Barrymore romcom has lots of sex, language.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this refreshing romcom is quite a bit edgier than many of star Drew Barrymore's other, more kid-friendly comedies: It's a frank exploration of long-distance relationships and all of the challenges that come with them, from the emotional to the sexual. There's lots of swearing (including frequent use of "f--k"), plus plenty of references to -- and colorful descriptions of -- sex acts (including oral sex, masturbation, phone sex, and more). A few scenes include some partial male nudity (including a memorable butt shot); there's also a fair bit of drinking and some drug use (the lead characters smoke weed with a bong).

  • For the most part, the movie offers positive messages -- including that women and men should be equal partners in a relationship and that the woman isn't necessarily the one who should give up her dreams to pursue her guy. The movie also makes it clear that love is work, but that it's worth it for the right person. A secondary message is that you're never too old to pursue your dream career, despite past mistakes and a late start.
  • The main characters do plenty of iffy things (drugs, drinking, hooking up), but they ultimately have each other's best interests in mind, and have a fairly honest and respectful relationship. Secondary characters bolster the idea that friends and family should be there for you in times of crisis and joy (though they also do iffy things in the name of comic relief).
  • An inebriated woman gets into a shouting match with a guy at a bar and has to be hauled out bodily.
  • Plenty of frank discussion about sex acts (including dry humping, oral sex, and masturbation). A couple has phone sex (viewers see their hands meander under the covers and hear some of the dirty talk). Some scenes in which the central couple is shown in sexual positions and is implied to be having intercourse -- in one, the man's naked behind is visible. In another, non-sexual scene, a main character is shown naked from most angles while attempting to get a spray tan (no genitals shown). Kissing, hooking up. Lots of sexual/body part language, including "penis," "vagina," "d--k," "laid," and more.
  • Very frequent use of many swear words -- including "f--k," "s--t," "d--k," "goddamn," "bitch," "laid," "a--hole," "hell," "Jesus" (as an exclamation), and more.
  • Some signage for Southwest and Budweiser. Mug Root Beer and Boston Market are also shown/mentioned.
  • A couple smokes weed through a bong (leading him to call her "Snoop"). They also drink frequently, usually in pubs or bars, with their friends. A lead character gets sloshed one night and nearly cheats.

What's the story?

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?


Is it any good?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how the film portrays sex, drinking, and drug use. Do you think it's intending to send any specific messages about those topics? What can some of the real-life repercussions of those behaviors be?

  • Who do you think this film is intended to appeal to? How can you tell?

  • Parents, talk to your teens about realistic expectations for dating and romance.


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Parent of 18 year old
September 27, 2010
 
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Adult
January 10, 2011
 
Pretty good movie for older teens and adults
This was a good movie about a couple who is trying to make the whole long distance relationship last. It was good but I think it was a little long. Kids and young teens shouldn't see it though because there was a lot nudity, sex, and language but over all the movie was pretty good.

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Adult
November 13, 2010
 
below the average rom com.
ok this movie so totally forgettable, seriously it was just ok movie to watch. nice chemistry between the two actors. it had its moments but not much to actually make me call this the best romantic comedy of this year. it had very few but genuine funny scenes, which was nice because most of the other movie was just ok, not much in the story or the screenplay, much of it is very annoying and some times the characters the plot the story the everything that goes in this movie makes me mad. but all in all an ok romantic comedy about a girl and a boy trying to keep their love alive while going back and forth between New York and San Francisco. its about the choice they have to make between their love, romance and their work. decent or should i say below average performances. some scenes most of in the beginning were really sweet and charming to watch, but i will not recommend this movie to most of you people, if you like cheesy little bit predictable romantic comedies then this this movie is for you or otherwise believe me if you don't watch it then you are not missing a good movie this year. nice below average movie with less romance. and the R rated thing with so much of language and drug use was not predicted but doesn't matter much.

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Adult
October 7, 2010
 
Rated R for a Reason
I really liked this movie. BUT I have to say that it is rated R for a reason! Kids really shouldn't see this movie at all. Sexual content can get somewhat graphic at times, and language is frequent and strong. Overall, I think a lot of adults or older teens will enjoy, it's a good movie!

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Parent of 4, 6, and 8 year old
January 17, 2011
 

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Adult
September 17, 2010
 
great date movie
A good date movie for young adults. I really enjoyed this movie and found it quite hilarious. Some of the situations are very realistic and these are probaby the funniest.

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Adult
February 18, 2011
 
Adults only
Explicit sexual content, drug and alcohol use.

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Teen, 17 years old
October 11, 2010
 
OKAY FOR THE OLDER TEENS BUT NOT FOR THE MINIE ONES
LOVED IT

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Kid, 12 years old
September 3, 2010
 
sounds very sexual and foul-mouthed. we're not seeing this movie. when i rate something one star, it usually means i hated it or dont wanna see it,hear it,play it,or read it.

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Kid, 12 years old
August 3, 2010
 
should be pg
i say off for 7 and down, iffy for 8 and on for 9 and up. rate this please! OFF: 7 IFFY: 8 ON: 9 it was uncuted to R It not Deserve an r rating in my opinion. There will be Violence and Drugs, and not others.

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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:Warner Bros.
Director:Nanette Burstein
Cast:Christina Applegate, Drew Barrymore, Justin Long
Genre:Romance
Run time:97 minutes
Theatrical release date:September 3, 2010
DVD release date:November 30, 2010
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:sexual content including dialogue, language throughout, some drug use and brief nudity

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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