Worried that the spark has gone from their marriage, Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) Foster plan a romantic night out at a hip Manhattan eatery. When they arrive, however, the restaurant is heaving, and, without a reservation, Phil impulsively claims they are absent diners the Tripplehorns.
The ploy seems to have worked, until two heavies interrupt their meal demanding the return of a stolen flash drive. Phil and Claire discover that the Tripplehorns are in trouble with Mob boss Joe Miletto (Ray Liotta), whose hired goons won't accept that this is simply a case of mistaken identity. With Miletto and his men on their tails, the hapless Fosters decide the only way to save their skins is to track down the real Tripplehorns.
This fun action comedy is most notable for bringing together the reigning king and queen of TV laughs. Carell, already recognised for his film work, is, of course, the star of the US version of The Office, while Fey is well known as the creator and star of top comedy 30 Rock. Both experienced writers, the stars didn't have a hand in the script, but their ample comic talents still shine through. A high-calibre supporting cast includes the stars of some of the most lauded films of the past year: Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are Alright), an almost exclusively shirtless Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter), plus James Franco (127 Hours) and Mila Kunis (Black Swan) as the elusive Tripplehorns.
Like the similarly pitched The Bounty Hunter, Shawn Levy's film blends romcom conventions with some more male-friendly action sequences. The result is something more mainstream than is usual for Fey and Carell, but it's a people pleasing romp none the less.
Date Night is a Film programme that first aired in 2010 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
