Review of Date Night (2010) by Kyle G — 23 May 2012
A plain oddball-romance/intrigue studio picture, with the plainness rubbed away by the unique talents of Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Besides being quick, fresh, and smartly written, the story deals in an interesting, kind way with all the problems of identity that marriage/family/suburbanism can exacerbate. Against every explosive car chase or hollering gun standoff, Fey has a little cautious-old-mother scowl and Carell has an uncertain middle-aged-man mutter.
It may seem like a superficial, one-joke takeaway, and an easy way to sell a movie; but here it's deepened and explored in a mature and substantial way. And it's funny as shit! I love J.B. Smoove as the beleaguered cab driver, and tons of other great, surprisingly extensive bit parts. The script doesn't pack the silly in with the serious in an artificial or nervous way (as a lazy alternating spread - joke, serious idea, joke) but in a more distinct, natural, gradual pattern.
This review of Date Night (2010) was written by Kyle G on 23 May 2012.
Date Night has generally received mixed reviews.
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