Reel Critic:

“Inevitability” is defined as unavoidable or something that is certain to happen. In the cinematic world, “inevitability” can be defined as the absolute certainty that an extremely popular actress will eventually be teamed with her male counterpart, if such a person exists.

It therefore didn’t require a great deal of conjecture to assume Tina Fey would ultimately costar with Steve Carell in some project sooner or later. After all, they star in two very successful NBC sitcoms (Fey in “30 Rock,” Carell in “The Office”) on the same night. Well, the sun came up today, the sky is blue, grass is still green, and Fey and Carell are appearing as a married couple in the successful new comedy, “Date Night.”

Directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum”), “Date Night” features Fey and Carell as Claire and Phil Foster, an ordinary New Jersey couple coping with careers, kids and the fatigue that comes with each. Despite their grueling schedules, the Fosters are committed to a regular date night. They hire a sitter and go to their local steakhouse, where they always have the same thing: salmon and potato skins.

After one of the couples in their circle surprisingly splits up, Phil and Claire realize their stagnant routine may be threatening their marriage. On a lark, Phil announces they will use their date night to go to Manhattan and dine in a trendy new restaurant.

Phil and Claire arrive at the restaurant only to be treated rudely by the arrogant maitre d’ and decide to wait in the bar despite being told they will never be seated. Impulsively, Phil poses as the Tripplehorns, a couple who didn’t show for their reservation.

During their meal, the Fosters are approached by two thugs they assume are confronting them about their ruse. However, it quickly becomes clear that the Tripplehorns have run afoul of a powerful gangster and will be killed if they can’t produce a flash drive containing incriminating evidence.

Somehow Phil and Claire escape and are chased through the city by the thugs while they try to figure their out how to clear up the horrible misunderstanding. Along the way they enlist the help of one of Claire’s real estate clients, a secret-agent type named Holbrooke (Mark Wahlberg).

“Date Night” is a strange mix of romantic comedy and action film. Some of the plot elements defy belief, and the dialogue often goes a little flat. Nonetheless, “Date Night” is an entertaining film due to the comic talents of Fey and Carell and their believable chemistry as a long-married couple who still possess the spark of true romance. These two stars have to be among the most likable pair in Hollywood, and that charisma goes a long way in making “Date Night” enjoyable. The short running time of 88 minutes doesn’t hurt either.

“Date Night” is rated PG-13 for sexually themed and crude content throughout, foul language, some violence and a drug reference. In actuality, the film is mild by modern standards and can probably be viewed by anyone other than very young children. Due to its likable stars and many funny moments “Date Night” is worth a look.

VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth.