Date Night

This is a movie about marriage, above all else. And a really solid, fun, true-to-life one at that.

The premise is: a middle-aged, happily married couple from New Jersey begins to doubt if they have enough excitement in their lives. That worry is quickly put to rest when, during a dinner in the city, they are mistaken for a different couple with lives that you might call TOO exciting.

What I really loved about this film is the nature of the marriage they portray. This couple tries really, really hard to be good to one other. They schedule a regular date night and GO despite being so exhausted they can hardly stay awake. They somehow manage to be funny and still talk nicely to each other. They have sweet little traditions. Etc. When their adventure begins, then, they are already a team, ready to take on whatever comes their way. One perfectly representative moment involves each of them driving a getaway car at the same time (also the cars are connected...you have to see it, I guess). They also each get a chance to shine in different instances. Claire (Tina Fey), at one point, wraps her husband Phil's (Steve Carell) coat around her hand and punches through a glass door to get information off of a computer. And Phil bravely orchestrates the final showdown that gets the bad guys arrested.

But they're not Mr. and Mrs. Smith, here. They also both also have moments of indignity and panic. After keeping his wits about him and getting himself and his wife out of a deserted boathouse, Phil vomits in the street. Likewise, Claire has a couple of freak-outs Phil has to talk her down from. And a scene where they BOTH have to do an erotic dance is priceless.

I also love that it's a tired female police officer that figures out exactly what's going on and saves the day. Not only did it mean a good role for a good actress that could have easily, EASILY been written for a man, but it also drove home the point that this movie is about regular men AND regular women doing the best they can. Just like real life.

(Let me just pause and wonder out loud of we have Tina Fey to thank for a lot of these decisions. Her presence alone in a film seems to almost guarantee a more equitable and realistic portrayal of females.)

Finally, what made this film moving to me way beyond what I expected was Steve Carell's character. He is just an excellent husband. Phil Foster subtly demonstrates love and consideration for his wife and family at every turn. For example, he goes to Claire's book club and participates wholeheartedly, only to find out later that she doesn't even read the books! And toward the end of the film, when he gives a monologue about wanting to do more around the house and with the kids and wanting to be seen as useful, not incompetent, it is just pitch perfect. That moment made me think, "Damn. There are some really good men in the world."

Also, at least when Fey and Carell are involved, there seem to be some really funny movies.