Méchante soirée

D'une part, un scénario dégraissé et universel, rigoureux dans sa simplicité, dont les péripéties nombreuses déboulent sans temps mort au fil d'une intrigue ramassée sur moins d'une heure et demie.

If you find yourself watching Date Night this weekend, remember: it's OK to laugh. No, the movie isn't nearly as funny as any given episode of The Office or 30 Rock, and yes, the script and the direction do repeatedly insult the audience by assuming we can't get a joke or an emotional moment unless the entire film screeches to a halt to point it out. But there are good parts too.

It must be said that Date Night - in which a suburban married couple out for an evening in Manhattan endure car chases and the unwanted attention of thugs with guns - is superior to most recent movies of its kind, the marital action comedy. This is not saying much: better than The Bounty Hunter or Did You Hear About the Morgans? is not quite the same as "good."

Date Night comes pretty much as advertised. You can get a sitter, grab a meal, watch the movie, and break the daily pattern for a few hours. Or walk on the wild side, steal someone else's dinner reservation, and see what happens.

A romantic comedy with action, edge and genuine chemistry between its leads, Date Night scores a home run.

Cela n'empêche pas qu'il est possible d'en soutirer un certain plaisir coupable. Steve Carell et Tina Fey sont deux des meilleurs humoristes américains des dernières années et ils utilisent ce véhicule qui est loin d'être à leur hauteur pour se faire valoir. Et cela fonctionne.

Le scénario de Date Night (Méchante soirée en version française) n'a rien de transcendant. La réalisation de Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum) non plus. Mais il y a Tina Fey et Steve Carell.

Tina Fey and Steve Carell make Date Night an absurd and wildly amusing night to remember. This is the rare screwball comedy that is superbly paced, cleverly plotted and hilarious from start to finish.