Date Night

Went to see this date movie with M. tonight.  It was fun and funny, with two likable stars in the lead roles, giving pretty good performances.  Steve Carell, from the U.S. version of The Office, and Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, escape from NBC TV shows for madcap high jinks on the big screen.  The story is pretty lighthearted -- you get a sense early on that despite all the guns going off, nothing really tragic is going to happen -- so it was fun to watch, and there were some good lines throughout.  The initial set-up is that Mr. and Mrs. Foster decide to go to the city (New York) after deciding that their ordinary date night wouldn't quite cut it.  They take someone's reservation at a uppity New York restaurant, which gets them involved in a few chases from some bad guys and a blackmail plot involving a gangster type and a D.A.  The real couple whose place they took show up in the middle of the movie, making for a memorable, funny scene.  James Franco and Mila Kunis deserve credit for making the most of small parts, stealing the scene from the leads without ruining the movie or the scene.  The New York Times, somewhat snobbishly, didn't like the movie, but I have to disagree.  It may not be high art, but it is entertaining and good comedy.