The 80s Are "Going the Distance"

The other night I saw the funny and sweet Going the Distance, starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long and was surprised and ridiculously delighted by all the 80s references.

The film is most definitely set in current times with texting and skyping galore, but someone involved in this movie was clearly jonesing for the 80s and found any which way to stick the decade in there, starting but certainly not ending with a game of Atari's Centipede.
Then there was a quick move over to a guy in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, collar up, and before I knew it we were staring at a poster of Tom Cruise in Top Gun!  This was followed up by a  morning wake-up call with "Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing

While the Going the Distance soundtrack is by no means an "80s Mix Tape," 80s bands get plenty of play in the film, including songs by The Cure, The Replacements, The Pretenders, and Berlin.

I didn't hear any Beastie Boys, but our main boy does name Licensed to Ill as his favorite album.

The 80s picture wouldn't be complete without the fashion.  In addition to the polo shirt mentioned above, Barrymore wears an off-the-shoulder number out to dinner, and check out this ensemble to the left.  Oversized shirt, skinny jeans, ginormous belt.  And, I do believe those are Chuck Taylors Justin is sporting.

The movie wasn't perfect---some of the jokes felt a bit forced and "obnoxious friend guy" crossed the believability line more than once---but the two leads had great chemistry and adorable dialogue, and I found the guy humor refreshing in a romantic comedy. But if raunch isn't your thing, be warned that the movie is peppered with it.

If you're looking for something fun, sexy, and sentimental with a touch of 80s thrown in, why then, I'd say this movie is "Just Like Heaven" (on the soundtrack):


Comments

Nicole said…
I'll watch it on DVD when it comes out I think :) I only go the the 'bigscreen' for full on action movies now, otherwise its more fun to snuggle on the couch at home with the furbabies ;p

http://damselinadirtydress.blogspot.com
Doesn't Drew seem too old to be paired with this co star? She looks more like his mom in this shot, and in others I've seen than a girlfriend. Love the idea of the '80's references tho. I love the '80's, my favorite decade of all time. Will now listen to The Cure, thanks for the opportunity!
Nicki Elson said…
Hi Nicole,
Aw, furbabies! I'll agree, not many movies are worth making the trip to the theater, and this one is an excellent candidate for DVD.
Nicki Elson said…
Hey Karen,
Huh, I honestly hadn't thought about an age difference while watching. His age is sort of ambiguous in the movie, like he could be one of those people that looks younger than he is, because his two best buds struck me as kind of oldish, more so than Drew.

I'm happy to bring some Cure to your day and a bit of 80s. :D
Unknown said…
Drew Barrymore is one of my favorite actresses. Did you ever see "Boys on the Side?" No 80's references, but it is still worth watching. I'll be sure to rent "Going the Distance" whenever it comes out on DVD. Now, I'm off to listen to The Cure....
Katie Anderson said…
I saw 'Going the Distance' a few days ago as well. Really enjoyed it - thought Drew Barrymore was as adorable as usual, and the 80s references were great.

i did laugh though when Drew gets turned down for a journalist job and is advised to "try blogging." Hah!
Nicki Elson said…
Hi Andrea,

I like her too. No, I haven't seen "Boys on the Side" for some reason. Got to get that on the rental list. Hope you enjoyed the Cure. :)
Nicki Elson said…
Hi Katie,

Well, looks like great minds really do think alike, heehee. I thought she was pretty cute too.

Yes! That was hilarious when he suggested she try blogging. :D
fallen monkey said…
Ah, you had me at Atari...

...then brought me to my knees with that Cure video. Robert Smith + guyliner = rrrRRRrrrr...

(by the way, Nicki, have a little shout-out to you here: http://thefallenmonkey.com/2010/09/20/procrastination-potpourri/)
Nicki Elson said…
Thought you might like a little guy liner. ;) And you're so sweet w/ the shoutouts. I'll be by to pick it up...soon, very soon.

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