Date Night MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Main Actors: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson. Director: Shawn Levy

FILM SYNOPSIS:This sometimes hilarious, sometimes ridiculous movie is like watching TV’s Saturday Night Live on steroids. The lead actors, Steve Carell (TV’s The Office) and Tina Fey (TV’s 30 Rock), play Phil and Claire Foster trying to put a spark into their somewhat stale marriage. A romantic dinner in Manhattan starts out with the Fosters claiming the dinner reservation of a no-show couple who are the targets of criminals. Approached by two thugs during dessert, Phil and Claire are kidnapped and a fight for survival begins. Date Night ’s plot becomes so wildly unbelievable that it’s exhausting to watch.

PREVIEW REVIEW: The middle class suburban couple turn into action figures as their lives are threatened. Claire bashes in a window with such force her husband is shocked. He steals an expensive sports car, darts in and out of New York City traffic, crashes into a cab that becomes attached so that the two vehicles become one, creating unbelievable havoc without a scratch on anyone. This action sequence is kind of fun to watch but also exhausting.

Fans of Saturday Night Live may not be offended by the frequent crude sexual references, but there’s no escape when you can’t click the remote. It’s like the public needs to get over not using male and female body parts in conversation. Frank remarks about couples’ sex lives become boring after a while and only reflect the writer’s lack of creativity. Then there’s Phil and Claire’s pole dance in a strip joint in one of their desperate escape attempts.

There is some clever dialogue between Phil and Claire, especially when they observe other couples in the restaurant and imagine their situation and relationship. Unfortunately, much of this PG-13 film’s dialogue borders on an R rating. Phil refuses to use the f-word, but doesn’t hesitate to just say “f” or “f-u” repeatedly. As the saying goes, “a rose is a rose by any other name.” Profanities and crude language do nothing to enhance the entertainment value.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: 20th Century Fox