Director: Jonathan Levine
Writer: Dan Sterling, Liz Hannah (Screenplay) Dan Sterling (Story)
Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, June Diane Raphael, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Ravi Patel, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Serkis
Plot: Journalist Fred Flarsky reunites with his childhood crush, Charlotte Field, now one of the most influential women in the world. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly.
Tagline – Feel something different.
Runtime: 2 Hour 5 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Entertaining
Story: Long Shot starts as a journalist Fred Flarsky (Rogen) going undercover for his latest story only to learn his paper has been sold, while Charlotte Field (Theron) has stepping up her political career in her role of secretary of state, which sees her being selected as the next Presidential candidate.
After the two have a chance reunion at a concert, Fred is offered a job as a speechwriter in a hope to improve the humor level of Charlotte’s campaign, one of her weaknesses. As the two work together they remember more about their childhood together and Charlotte’s reputation starts to grow, as does their relationship.
Thoughts on Long Shot
Characters – Charlotte Field is the secretary of state, she has spent her career getting to this position and now is in line to be endorsed to become the next Presidential candidate, which sees her needing to improve her humour, hiring an old childhood friend to help this. Fred Flarsky is a journalist who has always gone after the big stories, he has always gone against media powers, which sees him out of a job, only to get hired to help Charlotte improve her humor rating with the people, helping to write the speeches for her. The two might have come from different backgrounds, but they show a chemistry that only love can explain. Maggie and Tom are the two advisers for Charlotte, they are not comfortable having Fred as part of the team. Lance is Fred’s best friend that does try to help him get back on his feet after losing his job.
Performances – Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen works very well together, Seth Rogen might be everything we would expect, but he does add some slapstick which is fresh for him, while Charlize might mostly keep herself straighter, it does give her a chance at a couple of funny moments. When it comes to the supporting cast, everybody gets their laughs along the way.
Story – The story here follows a Presidential candidate who hires an old childhood friend to write her speeches to add humor to them, as they start to fall in love, which only leaves them both needing to ask bigger questions about their futures. This is a story that does show how political people need to try and keep a lid on top of things always being worried about their own reputation instead of following their own beliefs. It does show how breaking them will define somebody, which is important for how everything unfolds, because we would like to see leaders who don’t hide everything from the world. The story does give us a new way to show a romantic story though, which is big to see.
Comedy/Romance – The comedy in the film is mostly what we would know from Seth Rogen, it is a lot of stoner comedy mixed with pop culture references. While the romance shows how being involved in a relationship with a public figure could have problems, but if you are in love, you need to follow the hearts.
Settings – The film does take us around the world, with the pair being on a tour as they fall in love, it shows how in the spotlight they must remain separate, while behind closed doors they can be together.
Scene of the Movie – Standing up for yourself.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The idea that all problems can be solved with drugs.
Final Thoughts –This is a fun comedy that does bring us a fresh look at romantic comedies with how the characters are placed into a world that we don’t normally see.
Overall: Fun Throughout.
