Tina Fey became a worldwide celebrity when she performed a series of parodies of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the stage of Saturday Night Live. The super-comedian managed to pull off her own TV series (30 Rock) with huge success among fans and critics, and she has a long list of successful comic films, including her latest, Date Night (2010).
Steve Carell is another celebrity known for his comic roles. The actor supported a number of well-known comedians including Will Farell in Anchorman (2004) and Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty (2003) before earning his first lead role in 40-year-old Virgin (2005), which became a launchpad for a series of critically and commercially acclaimed comedies.
Date Night, released in US cinemas on 9 April this year, is proof that these two actors are, indeed, the comic royalty of the new generation.
The screwball comedy centers on the Fosters, a married couple used to each other’s company who are living the life of perfect roommates. Their workload and the responsibilities of their children stand in the way of any hint of romance in their relationship. Even their weekly “date night” falls into a routine, as they pick the same restaurant and order the same food. What makes this couple special is their hilarious outlook on the world around them. Their corny but funny one-liners bring you slowly to care for their characters, which, in a way, is what makes the rest of the film work.
In an effort to reignite the passion, the couple drives to the city for a glamorous dinner in a Manhattan restaurant. They foolishly enter without reservations and the waiter shoos them away. The couple, determined to complete their date night ritual, instead take a reservation from a no-show couple, the Tripplehorns.
But what the Fosters are about to find out is that the Tripplehorns are wanted by a mobster boss who is willing to go all the way to retrieve what the Tripplehorns stole from him. Now, the Fosters have to pick their course of battle: Should they reason with two guys pulling guns in their faces, or run like the devil was chasing them?
The positively-reviewed film has gained over US$86 million in the American Box Office alone over the past weeks–an impressive income for mainly TV stars. Some of this can be attributed to director Shawn Levy’s record of hit comedies, including Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), The Pink Panther (2006), and Night at the Museum (2006).
The film is filled with cameos by various celebrities that are all brilliant and well-received: Mark Wahlberg plays a spy-like mystery man who is shirtless in all of his scenes in the film; James Franco and Mila Kunis play low-lives deeply in love (the real Tripplehorns); rapper Common plays one of the dirty cops following the Fosters; and Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson plays the good cop trying to help them.
What keeps the movie together, however, is the performances of both Fey and Carell. Their well-delivered one-liners rock the cinema with laughter, while their canny performances bring the right atmosphere to the film as a whole. The chemistry between the two is unmatched by any other recent comedy.
Director Shawn Levy is known for injecting his comedies with action, a trendy technique he has used in previous films. The car chase is one of the most hilarious scenes in the film, striking just the right balance between laughs and adrenaline.
The film’s ending, however, can be anticipated: everything is going to fall back into place and the lovable couple will begin a new life after having a crazy adventure. The film, however, is extremely enjoyable and deserves to be watched.
Date Night might be the right film for your dinner-and-a-movie plan with your significant other, but please–don’t take someone else’s reservations.
