When his small paper is bought out but a large media conglomerate the free-spirited journalist Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) quits rather write for a company he believes has a low moral compass. His best friend Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) takes him out on the town to drown his sorrows. They decide to go to a charity function to get free drinks and watch Boyz II Men. As chance would have it Fred’s babysitter from high school, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), is also there. Charlotte happens to be one of the most powerful women in the world. She is currently the Secretary of State and has her eyes set on the on the White House. But she recognizes Fred and they connect for a few moments. This chance meeting seems fortuitous for both. Fred needs a job and Charlotte is in need of a writer to help punch up her speeches. Fred also gets the chance to travel the world with his high school crush. Even though Fred isn’t your normal member of a government official’s entourage, dresses like a child, has a scraggly beard and looks high even when not, he can write. So he gets the chance to write entire speeches. As his role increases he needs to get to know this version of Charlotte a little better, rather than the girl he know in high school. They begin to spend more and more time together getting to know each other. Then a near death experience in Manilla leads to a wild night between the odd couple. But rather than a onetime thing the two begin sneaking away together. But as Charlotte heads toward a Presidential Campaign it seem inevitable that this secret relationship needs to end or go public.
This Jonathan Levine (The Night Before, Snatched) directed romantic comedy is predictable with flares of originality. The cast is great. Rogen and Theron have good chemistry and do well. The supporting cast, O’Shea (Straight Outta Compton) as well as June Diane Raphael (Blockers, The Disaster Artist), Ravi Patel (T.V. series Wrecked, Grandfathered), Andy Serkis (Black Panther, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and others, all have fun moments. Bob Odenkirk (T.V.’s Better Call Saul) is very funny in his role as President Chambers. The comedy is fun, but raunchy at times. There were definitely laugh out loud moments. But some of the jokes were predictable and other good jokes were spoiled by the trailers, so avoid if possible. The story was also pretty predictable with the outcome never really in doubt but the ride was fun and had both really good moments and some that fell flat. It blended what could be believable politics with some things you know would not be, or you really hope couldn’t be, done by someone in a powerful government position.
I thought the film was good but it did run a little long, 125 minutes. I think it would be a good date movie but definitely leave the kids at home due to prevalent drug use and raunchy moments. I went in with low expectations and that could also help. But if you need a laugh or non-super hero movie to see this is worth the ticket price.
3 out of 5
Review by Gareth Von Kallenbach
When a media conglomerate purchases the Newspaper he works for; edgy yet determined journalist Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) quits rather than compromise his integrity.
Around the same time Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), has learned that her boss will not seek re-election and will be endorsing her to be the first female President of the United States.
Charlotte is about to undertake a long trip around the world which will include stops in several key countries and she hopes to use this extended trip as an opportunity to build support for her environmental plan which in turn will be a platform for when she is able to announce her run for the White House.
A chance encounter at a party brings Fred to her attention and she learns that the awkward but kind individual is actually her old neighbor whom she used to babysit when they were in school.
When Fred decides to loudly take issue with the new owner of his former employer at a swanky event; Charlotte reads his work and realizes that Fred may be ideal for helping with her speeches during the long trip ahead.
Despite his reservations about politicians; Fred has limited work choices and agrees to take the job much to the dismay of Charlotte’s team who sees him as a shabby lout who will not fit in with the Socialites they will encounter on their trip.
As the trip unfolds Charlotte and Fred become friends which in turn leads to more which further complicates the situation as Fred does not appear to be the type of person that her staff can see being paraded in public when she announces her run for office.
What follows is a funny and touching tale of the complicated world of romance and friendship in the public eye as well as how politics can make people change their perspectives and beliefs in order to keep the status quo.
The two leads work well with one another and have a real chemistry and the strong supporting cast is a winner. “Long Shot” is a real pleasant treat and is the best Romantic Comedy of the year to date. The jokes are frequent and mix well with the romantic elements which makes the film a winner.
4 stars out of 5
