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A savior for the troubled rom-com – Metro US

A savior for the troubled rom-com

‘Date Night’

Director: Shawn Levy

Cast: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco

Rating: PG-13

Grade: ?????

Due to the recent, downright awful releases aimed at attracting those firmly entrenched in couplehood — “Couples Retreat,” “Valentine’s Day,” “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” — the poor romantic comedy probably has the lowest expectations of any film genre.

Luckily, Tina Fey and Steve Carell show America that not only can a romantic comedy be good, it can actually be, well, romantic and comedic.

To be sure, “Date Night” is not high art. And yes, the plot is outlandish, but it is also sharp and clever. Carell and Fey, as the bored, married couple Claire and Phil Foster, have a strong, comfortable chemistry — pair that with their formidable comedic skills (and classic cameos by Mark Wahlberg and James Franco), and you have a solid, hilarious movie that any couple should feel pleased they spent seeing on their own date night.