"DATE NIGHT" (2010) ... B+, Stars Deliver, Plot Doesn't

[Carl M. Zapffe]

"DATE NIGHT" (2010) ... B+ ... A night out on the town for a harried couple looking to add a little spice and romance to their lives quickly turns out to be much more than what they bargained for after they tell a little white lie to obtain a table at a chi chi restaurant. The evening turns into a nightmare of mistaken identities when two gunman show up believing them to be the original couple who hadn't shown up. 

Quicker than you can say "North by Northwest," the two gunman escort them from the restaurant in a scene strongly reminiscent of Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) being escorted out of the Plaza Hotel bar in the classic 1959 Alfred Hitchcock movie. Like Roger Thornhill, Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tina Fey) do and say whatever comes to their minds to extend their chances of survival, only to discover that each decision that they make is a bad one which only places them deeper into the mix. Of course, they aren't the couple who own that stolen flash drive filled with incriminating evidence, but they continue to act like they are. Going to the police is not an option after they find out that the two gunman are corrupt cops.

It's all good fun, of course, in this comedy drama often played with a tongue in cheek, over the top silliness by its two leads. Carell and Fey work very well together, but perhaps more as comedic partners rather than life partners. The roles are well cast, especially with Mark Wahlberg playing a shirtless stud muffin who comes to their aid, only to worry Phil over just how much service his wife might have provided in her capacity as his former real estate agent.

This film jumps from deadly serious to slapstick in a heartbeat, especially towards the end where a car chase and an underground bar scene become so ludicrous as to surpass all bounds of logic and believability. All in good fun for most of the movie, but then a fade towards the end. Finally, don't leave too early or you will miss the fun clips and out takes that play both during and after the credits. (See it.)

Carl M. Zapffe,

The Cat's Meow Movie Critic

http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cat's Meow Movie Web Log" group.
To post to this group, send email to catsmeowm...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to catsmeowmoviewe...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/catsmeowmovieweblog?hl=en.