Script Review: Date Night

Genre: Comedy/Action/Romance
Premise: A middle-aged couple trying to regain that spark they once had. What starts out as innocent fun turns into an action filled night they'll never forget. Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Common, and Taraji P. Henson are set to star.
Writer: Josh Klausner (Dated June 11, 2008)

Steve Carell's star turn.

Ok, let's get real. How often do ensemble comedies with so many big names actually turn out good? This year we had She's Just Not That Into You fail miserably. So did this script deserve so many big names to attach themselves? Was it really worth it?

First and foremost, I'll start out by saying I LOOOOVVVVEEEE the leads. The Office and 30 Rock are probably the only good shows on NBC right now. So I disregarded the hack of a director who's attached and moved this up on my script reading list. Honestly, I think I should have passed. Let's get into the plot real quick.

Phil and Clara Foster have reached that point in their marriage where a sex life in non-existent, their only thing in common is the fact that they share a kid, and there's not a day that goes by where they aren't at each others throats. They'd don't like this life, so they decide to try and reignite that spark. They're going to have one of those date nights they used to have so often. Well, things don't exactly work out as planned/ When they claim to be a couple known as the "Graces" to get a seat without waiting a lifetime, they are kidnapped and held at gunpoint. The rest of the script they are on the run, action and danger ensue.

I will say, this had a LOT more action than I was anticipating. That may be the only redeeming factor from this script. There are some very entertaining scenes. To bad this is supposed to be a comedy. Klausner throws in as many characters as possible, and none of them are funny. The attempt at witty banter between Phil and Clara is anything but, and simply boring. I assume they tried to get funny leads so their improv could save the movie. Hopefully they can.

Overall, the premise is pretty good, and there are some entertaining action scenes, but it lacked what every film in this genre needs: comedy. You can not write a comedy script and hope the leads can elevate it out of mediocrity. Hopefully with rewrites and the overall presence of Carell and Fey they can make the movie watching experience enjoyable. Until then, it's stuck with this grade.

[] Somebody should be fired
[] Bad
[x] Mediocre
[] Worth the read
[] Great
[] Amazing

Note to the readers: I'm trying to start a website here. I've noticed that many people just downloaded the Kick-Ass script and never posted their thoughts. I have no problem if you don't want to leave your own comments, but it seems to me a lot of you are just using the site to get the script, and not taking into consideration the amount of time I set aside to write up the review and supply you all with the link. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are taking this site seriously and not just using it to help enhance the quantity of your library. That said, the link to Date Night is in the comment section. Enjoy.