MOVIE
REVIEW: DATE NIGHT
4/8/10
SYNOPSIS: Claire and Phil Foster (Tina Fey and Steve Carell) are a
suburban couple slogging through their daily lives and marriage. Even their “date nights” of dinner and a movie have become routine. To reignite the marital spark, they visit a trendy Manhattan bistro, where a case of mistaken identity hurtles them through the city at breakneck speeds, into non-stop adventure. Remembering what made them so special together, Phil and Claire take on a couple of corrupt cops, a top-level mobster – and a crazed cabbie – as their date becomes a night they’ll never forget.
REVIEW: Steve Carell and Tina Fey together in a movie, whoa, that’s got to be good, right? Well, it won’t disappoint but it doesn’t quite satisfy either. The movie is funny and you will laugh out loud a few times but some of it seemed like it was trying to hard, or forced. The action is somewhat lame at times, but there are some moments that will startle you. The story is pretty cool, kind of like an opposite of Mr. and Mrs. Smith with more focus on comedy than action, but it had potential for so much more. The cast is incredible but many of the players’ roles were too short to really appreciate their presence in the film. Although Tina and Steve look like a cute couple, they seemed to be blocking each other out comically. Tina seemed to mesh better with Amy Poehler in Baby Mama than with Steve in this one. But don’t get me wrong, they both did a fantastic job regardless and the movie is still good even with all that, so don’t give up on it too quickly. I mean, I did leave the theater with a smile on my face and that counts for something.
Ah, the typical life of a middle class family stuck in suburbia . . . husband and wife each with a career and no time, with their 2.5 children (actually they have 2.0 kids), with a nice mortgage, with other married couples in similar circumstances for friends, and a life that is so routine that even their date night has become a drag. In summary, a dull, hum drum marriage and boy did it take a sharp turn on this night. Exactly what the doctor ordered to bring some life into their marriage that was on life-support. It should come as no surprise that the backdrop for this adventure is Manhattan and as usual, she shines in front of the camera. Speaking of shining, I just have to mention a very nice ride that the Fosters (Steve and Tina) get to travel in for a portion of the movie. It was actually pretty wild. Now that ride belongs to a supporting character that was excellently played by Mark Wahlberg, Holbrooke. Of the supporting cast, he stands out the most, especially with the ladies in the audience. Actually, his scenes are some of the funniest moments in the film. James Franco and Mila Kunis also deliver a memorable scene in which you will see them in a different light. Director Shawn Levy has given us some pretty good comedies in recent years: Big Fat Liar, Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen, Pink Panther, and both Night at the Museums. This film does not surpass his other works but it doesn’t fall short either . . . it fits nicely in the midst of his repertoire. All in all, I was expecting more from this movie because of all the big names and the wacky storyline, but it wasn’t a complete let down so it’s not a bad choice.
Review
By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
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