Going the Distance

Erin, a graduate journalism student interning in New York City, meets Garrett at a bar after he interrupts her Centipede game. They drink together and end up at his place, where they smoke marijuana and have sex while Garrett's roommate Dan DJs their hookup. The morning after, Erin agrees to breakfast and they decide to keep the relationship casual since she is in the city for six weeks.

Erin and Garrett's feelings deepen as she writes a well-received article for the paper. She is told to contact the newsroom in January about possible openings, signaling a potential permanent position. The balance between romance and career begins to complicate their lives.

Garrett is assigned to manage a band he dislikes, which fuels his growing resentment toward his job. The relationship with Erin becomes more intense, even as work stress strains him. He starts to question his path while trying to maintain the romance.

Erin finishes her six-week internship and Garrett drives her to the airport for departure. In a tearful moment, he confesses he is crazy about her and wants a long-distance relationship. Erin agrees to try despite the distance.

Over the following months, they struggle to stay connected, but Garrett surprises Erin with a Thanksgiving visit. After an emotional reunion, they go to Erin's sister Corinne's house, where they have passionate sex on the dining room table, interrupted when Corinne walks in. The moment cements the intensity of their relationship.

The next day they attend a Boxer Rebellion concert, and Garrett grows jealous of Erin's friendship with Damon, a handsome bartender. The tension from jealousy strains their relationship as Garrett ultimately has to return to NYC. The distance complicates their efforts to stay close.

In January, Erin calls her former newsroom to check for openings but there are none. She ends up getting drunk with Damon and almost kisses him, but goes home. Her professor recommends her for the San Francisco Chronicle, and she goes for an interview; Garrett tries a phone-sex call, but it comes across as awkward and embarrassing.

A month later, Erin is offered a job at the Chronicle. She returns to NYC to tell Garrett in person, blindsiding him with the news. A tense reunion leads to a fight, and Erin spends the night with a friend to sleep things off.

They reconcile and he suggests Erin move to NYC to live together, but a visit to San Francisco to sort things out makes Garrett realize he shouldn’t be the reason she turns down the job. They share a long, emotional hug before parting at the airport.

Six months later, Erin has her first front-page story and is thriving. Garrett has not dated anyone since her and quits his job to manage The Boxer Rebellion. He sends Erin tickets to their show, and she attends, unaware that he is the band's manager.

After the show, Garrett reveals he has moved to Los Angeles and the two decide to try again. They return to Corinne's house, interrupting Corinne and Phil dry-humping on the dining room table. Erin's niece Maya enters and everyone shouts 'Maya! Statue!' to freeze the moment in the family chaos.