Tina Fey and Steve Carell have a date night they will remember
Posted by The Skyliner on April 14th, 2010Jordan Ecarma
Copy Editor
Date Night follows two ordinary people as they experience one madcap adventure. Steve Carell and Tina Fey team up to deliver comedy, action and a little romance with style.
Phil (Carell) and Claire (Fey) Foster are a married couple whose typical lives include the house in the suburbs, 9-to-5 jobs and two kids. They care about each other, but find themselves in a relationship rut. Each week, they have “date night” to get away from home and enjoy each other’s company. But they find themselves discussing the kids, problems and the next week’s schedule instead.
Both Phil and Claire decide that this date night will be different. Claire puts on a pretty dress, and Phil resolves that they will have a night out on the town. They head to a fancy restaurant in the city. A problem arises, however, when said fancy restaurant has no empty tables. Phil decides that they will impersonate a couple who did not show up for their reservation. The mild deception leads to a crazy adventure involving car chases, a flash drive with vital information and, of course, hilarious quips for every situation.
An interesting aspect to Date Night is the various stars that are integrated into the storyline. Everyone from Will.i.am to Leighton Meester takes a turn at adding to the mayhem. James Franco’s moment onscreen is especially memorable. He plays a seedy low-life with the girlfriend to match (Mila Kunis). They just happen to be the Triplehorns, the couple that Phil and Claire are impersonating.
Fey and Carell are both known for their roles on NBC hits 30 Rock and The Office. Their comedic styles mesh surprisingly well. The dry humor that results from their teaming is better than the broader physical comedy with which the film falters.
Date Night is not altogether cohesive, scattering stylized action with sarcastic asides rather liberally. But as a comedy, it thankfully stays fresh for the most part. While it veers into the raunchy, it never stoops to too low a level.
What truly makes the film is the heart beneath the comedy. Phil and Claire care deeply about each other and show their love in various ways. One of the film’s most engaging moments is when Phil tells Claire that he “would do it all over again,” referring to their marriage. They learn new things about each other during this date night, and their zany experiences actually translate into a stronger relationship. It is encouraging to see a film portray a positive, loving bond between husband and wife. Fey and Carell’s chemistry is sweet without turning saccharine, and their rapport carries the film admirably.
Date Night’s main strength is its pacing. Its succinct running time and snappy liners keep it tight as a film rather than scattered. As escapism, it wins. Hopefully a little of the idea of solid, nurturing love as shared by the main characters will stick with audiences. Other than that, nothing within its 88 minutes will change the world, but all of it will keep audiences entertained. And that’s what movies were meant for, after all.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 11