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Film review: Long Shot

At last! A romcom that actually works.

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Jonathan Levine’s new romantic comedy Long Shot presents a rare occasion in which a film manages to be both funny and relatable despite its decidedly far-fetched premise. Starring Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Superbad) and Charlize Theron (Monster, Atomic Blonde), Long Shot offers a deeply touching and immeasurably entertaining story about a schlubby out-of-work journalist who falls for a high-flying presidential hopeful, who just happens to be his childhood crush.  

After narrowly escaping the clutches of a violent Neo-Nazi group when he is outed as an undercover Jewish journalist from Brooklyn, Fred Flarsky (Rogen) returns to work where he soon learns that the outlet was recently acquired by a ruthless Rupert Murdoch-alike businessman (played brilliantly by an almost unrecognisable Andy Serkis). Making a stand against the new owner, Fred quits his job to prove his integrity to nobody else but himself.  

Later that night whilst drowning his sorrows at a swanky A-list reception, Fred catches the eye of childhood friend Charlotte Field (Theron), who is now the all powerful US Secretary Of State. Moved by his idealism and slightly puzzled by his cringeworthy antics at the reception, Charlotte who has decided to run for president, offers Fred a chance to be her speechwriter. An offer he accepts based on her strong eco-friendly stance. Soon the two become inseparable and slowly discover that they have far more in common than meets the eye.  

From its beautifully executed “meet-cute” to the expertly-paced love story arc, director Jonathan Levine (The Night Before) shows that he knows his romantic comedy rules inside-out. He gives us a fresh and engaging narrative set in the murky world of politics, whilst successfully avoiding the usual pitfalls of such undertakings. Injecting a commendable degree of authenticity to an otherwise preposterous high concept idea, Levine and screenwriters Dan Sterling (Girls) and Liz Hannah (The Post) manage to put more heart and soul into their storyline than the majority of the current crop of Hollywood rom-coms put together.  

Rogen does what comes to him naturally. He is funny, relatable and undeniable likeable. And while some might find his overgrown stoner schtick a little overbearing at times, there is certainly more to this particular character than the usual infantile antics of his earlier Judd Apatow produced offerings. For her part, Theron gives a faultless comedic performance which is as brilliantly measured as any of her dramatic roles.  

Elsewhere, Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) puts in a fine performance as the halfwitted former TV star turned president, while O'Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton) excels in a scene-stealing turn as Lance, Fred’s eternally up-beat and supportive best friend.  

Jonathan Levine has given us, what is sure to be, one of the best romantic comedies of the decade. Capitalising on the indisputable chemistry between his two stars, the director has managed to make a film which is both touching and hilariously funny, which is no mean feat in Hollywood these day.  

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