The Movie: Date Night

Reel Thing Rating: 5 out of 5 Reels
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This was more of a caper than a romantic comedy; Claire and Phil Foster are already married so we’re not “wondering” throughout the movie if they’re going to get together. You know, like we do with so many other romantic comedies.

However like most couples that have been married for 10+ years and had a few kids they do have their issues to work out, mostly just the standard too little time and not enough communication. In general they seem compatible in every way, from appearance to values to sense of humor. They trust each other. They haven’t reached the point where they sit across the table from each other not speaking; even when they’re both tired they still manage to find ways to amuse themselves. But mostly they give the appearance of being a team – two people that work well together and know they can depend on each other, no matter what the circumstances.

Really they just need to put a little spark back in their relationship.

Being chased by corrupt gun-toting cops, honest gun-toting cops, mob guys and a seriously perverted DA while driving a stolen car is probably not the course of action most marriage counselors would suggest, but for them it seems to do the trick. Truthfully there is really never a question here of whether Claire and Phil are going to stay together – it’s pretty obvious from the start that they care about each other and are a good match. But it’s nice to see them get a little excitement in their lives. Maybe they can do this again in another 10 years.

This is our first bromance and as we expected it’s a bit different judging the chemistry between two male friends than it is between two lovers of any gender.  Part of us figures that simply being guys is all it takes for them to be friends - we always assume that guys don’t have the same criteria for friendship that girls do.  There’s none of the drama, none of the petty jealousies that often occur between women friends or couples.

We do know however that many friends can drift apart once marriage and family intervene.  This could be particularly true for someone like Peter who is not good at friendships to begin with.  And Peter and Sydney are as different as two people can be so their relationship is not without its obstacles.

Nevertheless we do feel that Peter and Sydney will be friends for life.  Yes they are different, but they both possess one characteristic in common that we think will take them all the way – loyalty.  They are both extremely loyal friends.  Both are also very generous and willing to go out of their way for the other.  Sydney in particular goes the extra mile for his friend in some very touching and unusual ways.  Both are very honest, although it takes Peter some time to open up and really express himself.  But he’s not a liar and neither is Sydney.  He’s also willing to let Sydney bring him out of his shell, and Sydney, rather than finding Peter a drag on his time, is all too happy to oblige.  Unless Zooey finds some reason to keep them apart we think Peter and Sydney have what it takes to be The Reel Thing.