Going the Distance Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Going the Distance" offers a blend of strengths and weaknesses, reflecting both technical competencies and inherent limitations in the original production. The 1080p transfer exhibits an agreeable color range that aligns well with the film’s thematic elements, especially noted in the bright, daytime scenes where colors such as the greens of Central Park stand out with a healthy saturation. Skin tones generally maintain consistency, though occasional balminess suggests some lighting challenges. However, nighttime scenes suffer from crushing, leading to diminished shadow detail, which compromises the overall visual fidelity.

Detail and resolution display variability, with discernible sharpness in certain sequences but a tendency towards softer definition, particularly in mid-level and wide-angle shots. This inconsistency extends to the texture detail which ranges from refined to disappointingly spongy, undermining the potential immersive quality. Edge definition similarly fluctuates, particularly in lower light settings, further highlighting the presentation's instability. Issues such as artifacting, banding, and aliasing are minimal, though some scenes—like the outdoor café scenario—suffer from notable noise and visual incongruity, adding to a patchwork visual experience.

Despite the clean rendering of colors and overall avoidance of significant technical flaws like persistent crush or aberrant noise, the overall video presentation of "Going the Distance" on Blu-ray falls short of being exemplary. While it avoids major eyesores and is technically passable, it lacks the visual finesse characteristic of more polished transfers. The contrast provides bright whites and stable blacks although slightly elevated, culminating in a presentation that remains competent but ultimately unremarkable.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Going the Distance" offers a competently front-focused presentation, with clear dialogue and moderate spatial use of the surround channels. The audio quality is pleasing and accurately conveys the film's soundtrack elements. However, the mix could have been improved as there were instances where dialogue levels were too low, necessitating volume adjustments to capture softer spoken passages. The front three channels deliver solid clarity and imaging, carrying the bulk of the audio, while the surrounds and subwoofer make occasional contributions that fill out the soundstage during key scenes like musical performances and crowded environments.

Despite creating a believable ambience in the various indoor and outdoor settings, the LFE channel and rear speakers play a limited role, resulting in a largely front-heavy experience. The soundfield, while adequate, does not achieve an immersive quality; dynamics remain suitably restrained but underwhelming for a modern audio mix in the rom-com genre. Directionality is generally accurate but lacks the more engaging qualities noted in higher-tier audio presentations. Music, which is significant given the protagonist’s occupation in a record company, integrates well with the overall sound design, especially in scenes featuring live bands or club environments.

In summary, "Going the Distance's" audio presentation largely fulfills its purpose by maintaining clear and intelligible dialogue amidst a moderately engaging soundstage. While the mix is sufficient for a dialogue-centric romantic comedy, it doesn’t reach immersive or dynamic heights that would set it apart, leaving it as a competent yet unremarkable entry in the realm of Blu-ray audio offerings.

The Blu-ray extras for "Going the Distance" include a mix of insightful and somewhat tepid materials, providing additional depth yet falling short at times. The audio commentary by director Nanette Burstein, while informative about the film's technical and narrative decisions, can be a bit dry. Featurettes such as "How to Have the Perfect Date" and "A Guide to Long Distance Dating" offer some engaging, albeit pedestrian, discussions on relationships. Notably, "The Cast of Going the Distance: Off the Cuff" delivers enjoyable behind-the-scenes moments with cast improvisations. The deleted scenes provide additional humor but mainly showcase superfluous content. Music aficionados will appreciate the music video and soundtrack promo featuring The Boxer Rebellion.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Director Nanette Burstein: Covers tone, casting, performances, etc.
• How to Have the Perfect Date: Cast opinions on the perfect date.
• A Guide to Long Distance Dating: Relationship advice and behind-the-scenes content.
• The Cast of Going the Distance: Off the Cuff: On-set cast improvisations.
• Deleted Scenes: Content that didn't make the final cut.
• Music: Music video and soundtrack promo featuring The Boxer Rebellion.

"Going the Distance" offers an honest portrayal of a long-distance relationship, characterized by genuine performances from Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. This R-rated romantic comedy delves into the lives of Erin, an aspiring journalist, and Garrett, a record-label upstart, who meet in New York City and embark on a summer fling just before Erin’s internship forces her to move back to San Francisco. The film stands out for its surprising sincerity, often deviating from typical romantic comedy tropes by presenting a believable romance filled with texting, late-night calls, and occasional flights. Despite its predictable structure, the chemistry between Barrymore and Long, enhanced by their real-life relationship, brings an authentic feel to the characters’ connection and challenges. The film’s supporting cast, including Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Christina Applegate, and Jim Gaffigan, add layers of humor and realism to the story.

The film’s biggest challenge lies in its R-rated content, which sometimes clashes with its overall tone. The adult-themed jokes and language can feel out of place and forced. Nanette Burstein’s approach as a documentary filmmaker shines through in delivering genuine moments, yet the sporadic vulgarity doesn't always land well. While the male-dominated humor from Long, Sudeikis, and Day often hits the mark, the female characters, particularly Applegate’s portrayal of Erin’s sister, come across as overly neurotic and misused. The screenplay by Geoff LaTulippe has moments of clever dialogue but often falls into the trap of conventional rom-com scenarios that feel like clichés instead of fresh takes. Nevertheless, the film avoids indulgent sentimentality and prioritizes authenticity in its depiction of love and commitment.

Ultimately, "Going the Distance" does not transcend its genre but offers enough heart and humor to be an enjoyable watch. Despite its flaws, the film maintains a strong emotional core, thanks to its well-cast leads and a commendable effort to sidestep typical romantic comedy pitfalls. It's an uneven yet earnest journey of love that resonates with sincerity.

"Going the Distance," as a Blu-ray release, presents a mix of predictable rom-com tropes laced with sporadic humor that may not appeal to everyone. The film’s video quality is notably inconsistent, with occasional sharp visuals offset by moments of mediocrity. The DTS-HD Master Audio track fails to imbue the film with the depth and ambiance one would expect from modern Blu-ray releases. Despite some redeeming points, such as the honest portrayal of long-distance relationships and an agreeable cast, these are overshadowed by its formulaic narrative and awkward R-rated humor that seems misplaced.

The supplemental package accompanying the Blu-ray is lackluster, primarily comprising promotional content rather than in-depth features or commentary tracks that would provide additional value. The extras included do little to elevate the overall experience, making it less appealing for those seeking insightful or engaging bonus material. Technical evaluations of the disc indicate marginal video quality with audio slightly outperforming it, but not impressively so.

In conclusion, while "Going the Distance" may cater to hardcore fans of the genre or those interested in its stars' performances, its technical shortcomings and uninspired special features suggest it is not a must-have for most Blu-ray collections. For a more satisfying romantic comedy experience, exploring other titles such as "Flipped" might be a better option.