Look, let's be real for a second. When you hear the words "National Lampoon," your brain probably goes straight to a few specific places. Maybe it's John Belushi in a "COLLEGE" sweatshirt throwing a guitar down the stairs. Or Chevy Chase losing his absolute mind over a Christmas bonus that turns out to be a jelly-of-the-month club subscription. Those are the classics. They're the pillars of American comedy.
Then there’s National Lampoon's Going the Distance.
Released in 2004, this movie sits in a weird, dusty corner of the franchise's history. It’s not a Vacation movie. It has zero to do with the Griswolds. Honestly, if you saw it on a streaming shelf today, you might think it’s just another generic early-2000s teen comedy that slapped the Lampoon name on the poster to sell a few more DVDs. And, well, you wouldn't be entirely wrong. But there’s a bit more to the story than just "brand dilution."
What Is This Movie Even About?
Basically, the plot is the quintessential "quest for love" setup. We follow Nick, played by Christopher Jacot. Nick is your standard "guy who has his life planned out" protagonist. He’s got the career path, the girlfriend, the whole nine yards. But then, disaster strikes in the form of Lenny Swackhammer.
Lenny is a lecherous, over-the-top music producer played by none other than Jason Priestley. Yes, that Jason Priestley.
When Nick's girlfriend falls under Lenny's "influence" (which is really just code for "being tempted by fame and a sleazy guy in Toronto"), Nick decides he has to intervene. He needs to get from the West Coast to Toronto to win her back. Since this is a road trip movie, he can't just hop on a plane and be done with it. That would be too easy. Instead, his two best friends—Tyler (Shawn Roberts) and Dime (Ryan Belleville)—convince him to drive across Canada.
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It’s a cross-country trek filled with the usual suspects:
- Beautiful hitchhikers (Sasha and Jill).
- Wacky mishaps.
- A ticking clock (they need to get to the MuchMusic Video Awards).
- Constant sabotages from a mysterious stranger.
It’s formulaic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what you expect from a 2004 R-rated comedy.
The Canadian Connection
One thing most people get wrong about National Lampoon's Going the Distance is where it actually came from. It wasn't born in a Hollywood boardroom. This is a Canadian movie through and through. In fact, when it was first released in Canada, it didn't even have "National Lampoon" in the title. It was just Going the Distance.
The "National Lampoon" branding was tacked on for the US theatrical and DVD release. During that era, the Lampoon name was being licensed out to basically anyone with a checkbook and a script. It’s why you see so many random movies from the early 2000s—like Dorm Daze or Gold Diggers—carrying the logo. It was a marketing trick.
Because it’s a Canadian production, the movie is a time capsule of 2004 Canadian pop culture. The destination isn't Los Angeles or New York; it’s Toronto. The climax happens at the MuchMusic Video Awards (MMVAs), which was the Canadian equivalent of the VMAs back when music television actually played music. You even get cameos from Canadian icons like Avril Lavigne and the band Sum 41. If you grew up in Canada during that time, this movie feels like a fever dream of your high school years.
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Why Does It Get Confused With Other Movies?
If you try to Google this film, you’re going to run into a problem. In 2010, another movie came out called Going the Distance. That one stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. It’s a much more grounded, "prestige" romantic comedy about the actual struggles of a long-distance relationship.
The 2004 National Lampoon version is... not that.
One is about the emotional toll of dating across time zones; the other is about Ryan Belleville doing "wacky antics" while driving a van. They couldn't be more different. But because they share a title, the 2004 film has largely been swallowed by the 2010 one in the digital archives.
Is It Actually Worth Watching?
That depends. Are you looking for high art? Probably not.
But if you have a soft spot for the "Road Trip" subgenre of the early 2000s—movies like EuroTrip or, well, Road Trip—there’s a weird charm to it. It’s incredibly dated. The fashion, the jokes, the "extreme" energy of the editing—it’s all very much of its time.
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Jason Priestley is clearly having the time of his life playing a villain. It’s a far cry from Brandon Walsh on 90210. He leans into the sleaze of Lenny Swackhammer with a level of commitment the movie probably didn't deserve. And the chemistry between the three leads actually works. They feel like real friends, even when they're stuck in the middle of absurd situations.
The Critical Reality
Look, the critics weren't kind. At all. Most reviews from the time pointed out that it felt like a watered-down version of better comedies. It lacks the sharp social satire of the original National Lampoon magazine or the heart of the John Hughes-era Vacation films.
However, it was a modest success in its home country. It was actually the first Canadian film in years to be a "hit" at the domestic box office, largely because it leaned so heavily into the Canadian identity. It didn't try to pretend it was set in the US. It embraced the loonie, the vastness of the provinces, and the specific vibe of Toronto.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Lovers
If you're a fan of the National Lampoon legacy or just curious about this specific era of filmmaking, here is how to approach it:
- Check the Title: Always verify the year. If you see Drew Barrymore on the cover, you've got the 2010 rom-com. Look for the "National Lampoon" logo and Christopher Jacot if you want the 2004 road trip version.
- Watch for the Cameos: If you’re a fan of early 2000s pop-punk, keep your eyes peeled for the MuchMusic Video Awards scenes. The Avril Lavigne cameo is a genuine "blink and you'll miss it" moment of peak 2004.
- Context is Everything: Go into it knowing this was a Canadian production first. The humor and the locations make a lot more sense when you realize it’s a love letter (of sorts) to the Great White North.
- Temper Your Expectations: This isn't Animal House. It's a fun, raunchy, somewhat forgettable flick that serves as a perfect "Friday night with pizza" movie.
Whether you're a completionist trying to watch every single "National Lampoon" branded film or just someone who misses the days of MuchMusic, National Lampoon's Going the Distance is a fascinating relic. It represents a specific moment in time when a legendary comedy brand was trying to find its footing in a new millennium by looking across the border.
To get the most out of your viewing, try to find the original Canadian cut if possible. Some of the US edits for the DVD release slightly altered the pacing, and the original version preserves more of that specific Canadian charm that made it a local hit in the first place.