Going the Distance

  • 2010
  • R
  • 102m
movieMx RATING
6.1/10763
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: Going the Distance Review

Last updated: January 23, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 23, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Going the Distance (2010) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Going the Distance features a noteworthy lineup led by Drew Barrymore . Supported by the likes of Justin Long and Charlie Day , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Going the Distance (2010) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Going the Distance stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Going the Distance

Quick Plot Summary: Going the Distance is a Comedy, Drama, Romance film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Erin and Garrett are very much in love. When Erin moves to San Francisco to finish her journalism degree and Garrett stays behind in New York to work in the music industry, they gamely keep the romance alive with webcams and frequent-flyer miles. But just when it seems the lovers will soon be reunited, they each score a big break that could separate them for good. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: Going the Distance

Ending Breakdown: Going the Distance concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Going the Distance reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Going the Distance?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: Going the Distance

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $32.0M
Worldwide Gross $42.0M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Going the Distance Budget

The estimated production budget for Going the Distance is $32.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Going the Distance

All Cast & Crew →
Drew Barrymore
Drew BarrymoreErin Rankin Langford
Justin Long
Justin LongGarrett Scully
Charlie Day
Charlie DayDan Grant
Jason Sudeikis
Jason SudeikisBox Saunders
Christina Applegate
Christina ApplegateCorrine Berlin
Ron Livingston
Ron LivingstonWill Broderick
Kelli Garner
Kelli GarnerBrianna Jutsum
Jim Gaffigan
Jim GaffiganPhil Berlin
June Diane Raphael
June Diane RaphaelKaren Surgeoner
Rob Riggle
Rob RiggleRon Surgeoner
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Where to Watch Going the Distance Online?

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Going the Distance Parents Guide & Age Rating

2010 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Going the Distance age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Going the Distance is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Going the Distance is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Going the Distance is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2010 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Going the Distance. Rating: 6.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Going the Distance worth watching?

Going the Distance is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Going the Distance parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Going the Distance identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Going the Distance?

The total duration of Going the Distance is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.

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Critic Reviews for Going the Distance

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.1
Going the Distance
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/going-the-distance-38073" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.1</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Going the Distance</div></div></a>

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