While sitting in the back row consuming this light romantic comedy, you’ll find that the intermittently sparkling chemistry between the two celeb mag-baiting leads makes you forget the all important question that’s been nagging at you since the lights went down: What is the point of this film? It has a Hollywood plot that has been done to death; nothing new or original to say; and its existence is uninspiring and soul destroying. Having said that, you’ll be surprised to hear it’s actually quite enjoyable.

Averse to the idea of a serious relationship after recent traumatic experiences, Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Gerrit (Justin Long) get together after an alcohol fuelled liaison, only to discover that they live on opposite sides of the US. Torn between admitting their feelings, the hassle of traveling, and working out what means most to them in life (vomit), Erin and Gerrit have to decide if this long-distance lark is worth the heartache.

Central relationship with personal conflicts—check. Disapproving friends for her, crude and juvenile friends for him—check. A series of set-pieces unremarkable in their execution and originality (one spray tan sequence will be familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in “Friends”)—check.

So what on earth makes this a three star, i.e. “good” film? Simply because it survives on the natural charm of its headline acts without ever feeling like a voyeuristic promotional tool for the (at time of going to press) real life couple. It’s an old fashioned “you have food on your face” kind of romantic comedy.

Although a significant step backwards for Barrymore after her brilliant acting/directing gig on the little seen Whip It, she still reminds us why she is one of the most likeable comediennes working in Hollywood, delivering some admittedly killer lines.

Long appears to be an awkward leading man at first, reluctant to shed the baggage of being the perennial nerd for much of his career thus far (Die Hard 4.0, Accepted). Both the film and his character ache to be hip with a Top Gun fascination and a soundtrack featuring The Cure. But he soon finds his feet as a mature beau for Barrymore.

Dilemmas, including the core issue, are resolved far too easily for this to be even remotely realistic, and some of the jokes fall flat between the chemistry, but this (500) Days of Summer without the wit or quirk, is one of the better rom-coms you will see this year, by some distance.

[etRating value=“ 3”]

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