Date Night (2010) Director: Shawn Levy

Date Night is a real turkey. It really shouldn't be with the cast involved - Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Mark Wahlberg, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis and James Franco - but despite big, reliable names, the script is ATROCIOUS and the hammy lines are delivered so uncovincingly by all involved. Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are two of the biggest comedy stars in the US right now, so it was supposed to work, but even they can't work their wonders with an absurd storyline, revolving around the mafia after an incriminating flashdrive. Yes, flashdrive.

Fey and Carrell play Claire and Phil Foster, an ordinary couple from New Jersey who are stuck in a rut with their daily routine of childcare, work and no sex at bed-time. They have a regular 'date night' and, worried about their friends break-up, Phil decides to take Claire to a hot new restaurant in Manhatten, not realising they need reservations. After being fobbed off and asked to wait at the bar for a table, Phil nicks a table reserved by another couple by pretending to be them...not knowing that they are actually portraying a couple who have seriously pissed off the Mob by stealing a flashdrive from them with some naughty images on. Claire and Phil then get chased by the Mob, including some corrupt cops. And that's about it.

If you try and forget everything, including how ludicrous it is, there is some enjoyment to be had by Date Night. Fey and Carrell do try hard but it's just not that funny or THAT good. Mark Wahlberg's sole purpose in the film also seems to be that he has a ripped chest. It makes you wonder why on earth these stars signed up to such a film!

2/5