"DATE NIGHT" 4****STARS

 "Date Night" starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell had a concept that I thought I wasn't going to be able to get into at first. Who would believe that a suburban married couple would get caught up with the mob while they're out on a special "Date Night" and have to run for their lives? Not only did they pull it off it was absolutely, positively funny! 

Fey and Carell play Phil and Clare Foster a suburban couple from New Jersey who are caught up in the mundane routine of going to work, taking care of the kids and going home. They're concerned when they learn  their best friends are suddenly divorcing because they're bored with their routine. To spice up their regular "Date Night" Phil (Carell) and Clare (Fey) decide to do go to New York for a special dinner at an exclusive restaurant despite the fact that they don't have reservations. Phil comes up with the bright idea to steal the reservations of a couple who aren't answering when their names are called.  What they don't know is the couple who's table they're sitting at is wanted by the Mob. You go from being on the edge of your seat because thinking this crazy couple is going to get killed, to laughing at some of the hilarious scenes that take place. This is obviously a dangerous case of mistaken identity because the criminals don't believe that they are just a suburban couple out on a date. They are on their own to a certain degree winging it trying to fake it to stay alive. 

The Fosters get some help along the way from Mark Wahlberg who plays Holbrooke a sexy former real estate client of Clare's (Fey) who to Phil's (Carell's) surprise has a crush on him. Tariji P. Henson plays Detective Arroyo who believes all is not as it seems with this couple who look like they've been in through a train wreck because they've been running from these criminals. 

This film works so well because Fey and Carell  have great chemistry and work some real comedic magic because most of the scenes were improvised not scripted. No pun intended but "Date Night" is a good date night movie because the plot is so far-fetched but how they deal with this dangerous situation is so funny you want them to live through this night and get home to their children safe and sound. This was an exciting, hilarious surprise! You'll have a good time with "Date Night"!
PG-13
Comedy/Thriller
4 Stars****