Date Night (2010)

director: Shawn Levy

writer: Josh Klausner

starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey

genre: Comedy, Romance

Date Night goes the step forward from other formulaic comedies by pausing the film's pacing and having actual moments where the characters can talk about who they are and what they are going through. Many Hollywood film just speed their way from act to act. Date Night for it's simple and mediocre appearance still manages to be fun and an easy film for people to see.

Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) are just your standard routine filled couple. No excitement or something out of the ordinary is in store for them. Both have their defects in their marriage and feel trapped and unhappy. When their best friends break up, its an wake up call to them to change things around. A night in the city for the both of them changes their life for ever.

A simple clichéd film can be fun when done right and with the right cast. Here they couldn't have picked a better duo then Steve Carell and Tina Fey who are probably the funniest performers in entertainment today. Every line, facial expression by them is done to perfection. They make the film a pleasure to see no matter its flaws. Them and the supporting cast have fun with the film and do a good job. With these films direction and writing are always standard and mediocre. It's mostly up to the actors star power and talent to lift the film higher than it needs to be.

But will all the good comes the bad. Date Night has a very clichéd plot. The boring couple that suddenly have to go on the roller-coaster ride so they can rekindle their love that had been long lost. Simply Date Night plot is never surprising, pulsating or doesn't start, end or have any kind of bang to it. It has the jokes and the gags and the very special quiet moments but besides that there isn't anything else there.

For a film that doesn't try to be more than it can be, it still manges to be fun enough than most films. This all possible only due to its incredible cast and the filmmakers choice to give quiet moments to the film instead of a film at a maniacal pace. If anybody is in the mood for a light comedy Date Night is not a bad way to go.

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul