Long Shot
Starring: Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Rated: R
Talk about a long shot! There’s no other possible title for this ridiculous, politically themed rom-com that seems to get more and more unbelievable with each passing scene. This far-fetched film follows Charlotte Field, the Secretary of State (Charlize Theron), making a run for the presidency. She hires Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen), an unemployed journalist from her past (Seth Rogen), and sparks fly between the two.
The romantic comedy has never been the most believable genre. It’s full of unrealistic scenarios that are fun to watch but not exactly grounded in reality. Long Shot somehow takes these scenarios to an even more unrealistic level. It’s almost impossible to suspend your disbelief while watching this film unfold. My biggest issue in the film obviously lies within its script. The filmmakers are making us question reality enough by pairing up Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen as a couple. I saw the previews, and it was painted as though the two get by on their chemistry and pleasant personalities. However, the film fails (in my opinion) because Rogen’s character has a terrible personality. He’s an unlikeable jerk who hates everyone. He finds new ways to create confrontation with people. Not to mention, he severely lacks a sense of professionalism working for one of the most important offices in the world. He shows up in old jeans and windbreaker jackets to Environmental Peace Talks. There is meant to be a sense of middle ground found between Fred and Charlotte, considering she is the goal-oriented career woman, and he doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him. However, the film is inherently frustrating with its depiction of how Charlotte should compromise to make the relationship work.
While thinking about how frustrated I felt watching Long Shot, I thought about far fetched movies that have more believable plotlines:
Annihilation
The Incredibles 2
The Christmas Chronicles
A Simple Favor
Annihilation? The film where Natalie Portman travels to an alternative reality only to be confronted with the horrors of the decaying natural world? Surely, I’m exaggerating! You may think I’m exaggerating, but no. That’s more believable to me than Long Shot.
If you watch this and see Charlotte fall for Fred when Alexander Skarsgard is an actual option for her, you’ll understand why every single one of the movies on that list is more believable. It defies logic. I refuse to accept the screenwriters thought I’d buy this. Perhaps if Fred had a wonderful personality, then I’d get it, but he doesn’t! I need better writing from a romantic comedy. Please note, I’m not trying to belittle Seth Rogen or the way he looks. I’m frustrated with the way his character is written. To make Charlotte a legitimate candidate for president and pair her up with a lead who whines about wanting real political change in the world, yet pitches a fit when Charlotte does her job as a negotiator for political change? What is that? He’s rude, arrogant, and has little regard for the feelings of others. It’s unrealistic that such a feminist character like Charlotte would genuinely want to be with such a juvenile person.
Another issue with the script is pedestrian humor. So much of Long Shot relies on immature, crass humor to get the audience to laugh. It isn’t particularly funny, and given the material, it seems as though the filmmakers could have come up with some better jokes.
Most of Long Shot relies on the chemistry between Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. Seth Rogen has always been a hit or miss actor for me in terms of the roles he picks. He was great in Steve Jobs and The Disaster Artist. However, I cannot get through a film like Neighbors or Knocked Up. Unfortunately, he falls into the same character tropes as the latter films in Long Shot. His character is vulgar and juvenile.
Charlize Theron does what she can with this script. There are some interesting topics brought up throughout Charlotte’s character arc on how women are perceived differently through politics vs. men. She must try to make the general public like her in any way possible. It’s sad that the world operates that way, but true. It’s also a little sad that Charlize Theron went from last year’s indie gem Tully to this. She deserves a better script.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. is a standout of the film as Fred’s long time best friend. He’s a scene stealer and one comedic bright spot of the film. I was glad any time he showed up on screen because I knew we’d probably be getting a genuinely funny moment, instead of some of the over the top Seth Rogen humor.
Long Shot attempts to breathe new life into the rom-com genre. Instead, it lands as a crass attempt at comedy with an insane script that asks too much of its audience.
My Rating: 5/10
*All images belong to Lionsgate