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DATE NIGHT Shawn Levy Starring Steve Carrel Tina Fey Mark Wahlberg Middle-aged New Jersey couple, Phil [Carell] and Claire [Fey] Foster, struggle through the monotony of their lives every single day. There's nothing particularly traumatising or troubling in their marriage - quite the contrary, socially speaking they are quite successfully average - but at some stage they have become desensitised with the daily routine. One evening, whilst desperately trying to get into a popular new restaurant in New York, the Fosters make a risqué decision and accept a no-show reservation. After a fair amount of wine, midway through the main course, two shady looking characters approach the couple and escort them outside. From here on the Fosters are put through a night of hellish circumstances and scenarios ranging from high-speed pursuits, shoot-outs and strip club auditions all the while finding time for the occasional heart-to-heart about their relationship. If this film were helmed by any other comedians, there would be no way this would work; thankfully, Carell and Fey are both perfectly in tune with what passes for realistic comedy. In other words, their portrayal of a married couple stuck in a rut is so believable that everything around them becomes plausible; they're attractive but not obviously so, they're young but old enough to know they're not really and they're in a physical condition to (barely) handle the events of the night without resorting to badly written quirks such as 'Oh, I've been learning Judo these last two years.' Most importantly, the weight and consequence of the events unfolding before them never truly sinks in but isn't completely dismissed either. This is perfectly summed up when they desperately flee a police station and as Phil holds Claire, trying to calm her down, she notes "You have crazy eyes!" His only response being, "That's because I'm freaking out! What the hell are we going to do!?" All technical aspects aside, the pros and cons are incredibly simplistic: the characters work well, the plot doesn't always. However, as stated above, because the lead characters work so well opposite one another and as all the supporting cast offer unique and significant performances, you can't help but forgive and forego a great deal. Date Night is actually a very clever and amusing film, coming as a welcome surprise from the director of truly hideous things like Night At The Museum and The Pink Panther. I'm not overly sure of this film's replay value but I would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a comedy with something other than the usual immature jokes and pranks aimed at adolescents and teenagers. Release Date: 23rd April 2010 The Scene To Look Out For: There's a rather obvious plot trend that places the Fosters in a room with an eccentric character and simply gives them room to role with it -- all of which makes for comic hilarity but a rather tired plot. As far as scene goes I think the most memorable moment would be one of the occasions when the Fosters drop in on one of Claire's old clients, Holbrooke Grant [Wahlberg]. From the moment he opens his door, Phil is immediately threatened by his looks and muscles; that and the fact that he insists on remaining bare-chested. After the third or fourth visit, Phil pleads with him for help in a rather heartfelt speech that finishes with, "Listen, I do have a plan and I really need your help and for the love of God could you please put on a fucking shirt!?" Notable Characters: You can't split them, it's impossible; this is a double-act piece and to rank Steve Carell or Tina Fey's performance higher would be a crime. So, we'll simply assume the two leads are phenomenal and that 30 Rock is the best show on television at present and you should be watching it and if you're not you should be disgusted and ashamed with yourself and let's highlight the best of the supporting characters instead. At one point, the Fosters meet up with the couple whose reservation they took, played by James Franco and Mila Kunis. The whole scene is extremely funny and their characters are so outraged and yet so sickeningly hopeless that you can't help but laugh. Highlighted Quote: "Ugh! They stabbed a chicken nugget with a sharpie! These are bad people!" In A Few Words: "Fey and Carell manage to entertain despite the hideously outlandish plot in this amusing screwball comedy" Total Score: 
7/10Matthew Stogdon |
