by Paula Baker Neill
All the right pieces were present in the new film, “That Awkward Moment,” but they didn’t add up to anything worth seeing. Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller star in a tale of three twenty-somethings who vow to remain single and rekindle the threesome’s college bromance.
The storyline is rather straightforward. As with any romantic comedy involving an agreement or bet, the lead characters are unable to uphold their end of the bargain. Jason (Efron), meets a writer. Daniel (Teller), starts hooking up with a female friend. Mikey (Jordan), rekindles a relationship with his estranged wife. The three leads have good chemistry throughout. Their camaraderie is genuine. Efron and Teller try to elevate the script with their charm and comedic timing.
However, instead of showing me why I should care about these characters and their journeys, the film told me when to laugh, when to be sad, when to be hopeful by the swelling music, pauses for laugh, and witty banter.
Honestly, I couldn’t help but think that these actors are better than the given material. Jordan’s character had the most emotional depth of the three, but I still couldn’t connect with him enough to feel anything toward his story. His performance made me want to go home and watch Friday Night Lights or Fruitvale Station. While “That Awkward Moment,” has the potential to leave you wanting something more, it could be entertaining for the majority of people looking for an escape on date night.
2.5/5
