Films often exist in two categories: The prestige “serious” ones and others labeled “popcorn” flicks. Date Night is clearly a member of the latter category, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. The film only aims to entertain it’s audience and for the bulk of its expedient 88 minute runtime, it succeeds.
Steve Carell and Tina Fey star as Phil and Claire Foster, a married couple who thanks to a case of mistaken identity, are thrust into running for their lives from New York’s crime underworld. The two must clear their names before they wind up swimming with the fishes.
The script isn’t groundbreaking, but moves at a fast pace that keeps us engaged enough. Most everything in the film is ludicrous, but the Carell/Fey tag team keeps us interested and stick with the characters.
If Date Night had featured two weaker stars, the film could have easily been a mess. Thankfully, Steve Carell and Tina Fey rise to the occasion and give the project their all. Truthfully, the script is on a lower standard than what the two get to work with on Thursday nights. Also, the romantic chemistry between the characters isn’t entirely convincing. Still, the committed work of Carell and Fey makes the film fun to watch. In addition, the surprising supporting cast of cameos also helps the film.
Shawn Levy is not known as an impressive auteur. He is certainly capable of putting together a studio film, but none of his past works (i.e. Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum and its sequel) inspire anything above that. With Date Night, Levy’s track record continues. The film is competently assembled but never strives to be anything more than a quick popcorn flick. Levy’s handling of action is a mostly clunky, except for a chase sequence involving the Foster’s car and a Taxi which is the film’s highlight.
Date Night is not a great movie, but it’s not a bad one either. The film would undoubtedly fall in the middle-of-road category were it not for its two stars. Carell and Fey enhance the pedestrian script with their comic skill and come out carrying the film on their shoulders. Not worth going out of your way to see, but as a Saturday night rental, you could do a lot worse.
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