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Saturday, August 28, 2010

2010 Review #52: Date Night


Date Night

Rated PG-13
(sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference)
1 hour 28 minutes

Storyline:
In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous.

Directed By
: Shawn Levy

Starring:
Steve Carell
Tina Fey
Mark Wahlberg
Taraji P. Henson

Critics Grade
:
67%
(Consensus: An uneasy blend of action and comedy, Date Night doesn't quite live up to the talents of its two leads, but Steve Carell and Tina Fey still manage to shine through most of the movie's flaws)

My Grade
:
B-

To me, Steve Carell and Tina Fey are a movie couple match made in heaven. On paper, these two would seem perfect to headline a film together. Both play hilarious characters on NBC Thursday night shows (The Office and 30 Rock) and it was only a matter of time that they would share the screen together. I have to say after watching Date Night, overall, I was not let down. The movie itself is only mediocre in my opinion. It's of course riddled with cliches and it's the same old same old storyline we see in so many action comedies. Yes you know how it's going to end. Yes you know that it's about the unlikeliest people doing the incredible and coming up with master plans in the blink of an eye that actually work! Blah blah. This movie has it success or failure riding on the two people that showcase all over the poster.

This movie is about these two character, but more so, about these two actors. If you had some random Joe and Jane Schmo playing these roles...this movie would probably be a dud. However it's Carell and Fey...two of the most beloved TV (and movie) comedians we have in the world today. Carell usually does his best work playing the brainless guy with a big heart. Fey is perfect on 30 Rock as the neurotically stressed out TV show producer and writer. Both actors are playing differently in this movie though, mainly Carell. He is less than funny here than he typically is, but I think Fey is right on her game the whole time. I love her witty delivery and some of her classic one liners. Carell is still awkward and that's something he does better than most. Together they make a great on screen couple. Together they are hilarious (MOST of the time). Although the writing of the film didn't give them a whole lot to really work with. I feel like they ad-libed a lot of their lines because of this. But overall, they were near perfect together.

That's the only real reason I enjoyed this movie, because otherwise it would have been a drag to sit through. There is a SLEW of big name cameos and most of them are very good. Again though, the writing of this movie was pretty weak so they could only do so much. Carell and Fey made this an entertaining movie. It all rested heavily on their shoulders and for the most part they pulled through. They would be the only reason I would recommend this movie for other people to watch. If you aren't a fan of them...you won't be a fan of this movie. I was not a fan of the movie per say...but the main actors made it worth my time.

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