“Long Shot is fun to suspend disbelief for the sake of a romantic comedy.”
In reality, it’s a long shot that Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen end up together, but in Long Shot, it’s fun to suspend disbelief for the sake of a romantic comedy. This is Hitch meets Notting Hill and honestly, it was one of the better rom-coms I have seen lately. It’s got just enough star power, with smaller but shiny supporting roles, that it doesn’t overwhelm like the films that throw in every star they can (New Years Eve or He’s Just Not That Into You). The plot is a bit farfetched, but it’s a Hollywood love story so just go with it.
Charlize Theron plays Charlotte Field, an up and coming senator who is being tapped for the next run at the White House. Seth Rogen plays Fred Flarsky, a liberal journalist who stands up for what he believes in to a fault. This quality ends up getting him fired when his company is bought by a nasty conservative outlet and he can’t stomach the buyout. In an effort to take his mind off his new unemployment, Fred’s best friend (played by O’Shea Jackson Jr) takes him to a charity event where Fred reconnects with Charlotte who used to babysit him as a young teen. Fred used to crush hard on Charlotte. The reunion leads to Fred writing speeches for Charlotte and accompanying her on her trip around the world trying to secure support for her new bill.
As you can imagine, as most rom-coms where a bumbling beau and a beautiful woman are involved, there are quite a few moments where Fred embarrasses himself to the delight of the audience. Charlotte’s staff is furious that Fred is along for the ride because he’s everything that Charlotte isn’t. But isn’t that what loves about? Finding the yin to your yang. As they spend more time together their feelings begin to change but with a presidential run on the line, can Charlotte afford to be dating Fred Flarsky, a Jew who always wears a turquoise windbreaker and doesn’t compromise his beliefs for anything (including political capitol)?
I enjoyed Long Shot more than I thought I would. I am a rom-com girl, but I expected this to be a typical Seth Rogen movie. I thought he upped his game a bit. Yes, there are still lots of drug jokes and a pretty lengthy tripping scene, but I thought it was funny and I am haven’t gotten any younger, so either he got funnier or my sense of humor changed. While it’s in no way realistic, we don’t see these films for their realness- we see them to escape and believe in ideals that make us feel good. This film provides that. It’s funny and hopeful and makes you excited about love and maybe even makes you want to wear a windbreaker again.