Going the Distance

An aspiring journalism intern in New York (Drew Barrymore) meets and clicks with a record company office drone (Justin Long), and they try to keep their romance warm when she returns to school at Stanford University. There are no surprises, and Nanette Burstein’s direction is uninspired, but the movie is amiable enough thanks to the two stars, here at their most likable—and in Barrymore’s case, her most beautiful; she shows a distinct family resemblance to her grandmother Dolores Costello, one of the loveliest women in Hollywood history. Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis play Long’s best pals without making much impression, despite some good lines from writer Geoff LaTulippe. As Barrymore’s sister, Christina Applegate is another matter; her part is underwritten, yet she comes this close to stealing the picture.