MOVIE REVIEW: LONG SHOT

Fred Flarsky is a gifted and free-spirited journalist who has a knack for getting into trouble. Charlotte Field is one of the most influential women in the world -- a smart, sophisticated and accomplished politician. When Fred unexpectedly runs into Charlotte, he soon realizes that she was his former baby sitter and childhood crush. When Charlotte decides to make a run for the presidency, she impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter -- much to the dismay of her trusted advisers.

Director: Jonathan Levine

Cast: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Andy Serkis, June Diane Raphael, Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgård

Release Date: May 3, 2019

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Rated R for strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use

Runtime: 2 h 5min

Review:

Every once in a while a romantic comedy manages to bust out of that genre’s general mediocrity.  Long Shot isn’t one of the best but it is a funny film that overcomes its short coming.  Once you get over the clearly outlandish premises, the script and cast really make the material shine.  The film ends up coming off as softer kinder version of Veep melded with a gender reversed Pretty Woman.  Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen have surprisingly solid chemistry, on paper it shouldn’t work but it does thanks to both of them.  Theron, in particular, continues to show an amazing ability to work in any role and genre.  Rogen is in his wheelhouse, of course, so it’s an easy fit for him.  O'Shea Jackson and June Diane Raphael fill in as the leads respective sidekicks which each making the most of their screen time.  The plotting hits on all usual rom-com mile markers, making everything fairly predictable.  It does start to overstay its welcome in the final act and could have used a tad bit of trimming.  Regardless, it’s a fun raunchy comedy that’s enjoyable enough to keep most people laughing.

B