Review of Long Shot (2019) by Markhreviews — 07 May 2019

The rom-com is such a rigid, formulaic, stale genre - it’s little wonder so many of them offer so little. Living up to its name, “Long Shot” avoids the typical pitfalls.

In case you care, here’s the story: Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is the Secretary of State. When President Chambers (Bob Odenkirk) decides not to run for re-election, he intends to endorse her. Field’s handlers tell her she needs to be funnier; enter Fred Farsky (Seth Rogan) to “punch up” her formal addresses and stump speeches. As they travel across the globe, the unlikely pair fall in love. Field experiences a political crisis. Farsky has an embarrassing video misadventure that goes viral. Will circumstances tear the lovers apart? Is this a rhetorical question? Along the way, we are reminded of “Pretty Woman” with a dash of Kevin Kline’s “Dave” (1993). We’re also treated to innumerable, often gratuitious, f-bombs coming from all directions.

This film succeeds for three reasons. First, the directing and the screenplay are both first-rate. Director Jonathan Levine (2017’s Amy Schumer vehicle “Snatched”) shows a deft, confident, knowing touch throughout. Screenwriters Dan Sterling (whose TV work includes “The Office” and writing for Jon Stewart and Sara Silverman) and Liz Hannah (2017’s “The Post”) have created a story and dialogue that are fresh, topical and totally charming.

The second factor elevating this film is the onscreen chemistry. Theron and Rogan are magical together. They seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, creating a pairing that almost seems somewhat vaguely plausible. It’s so much fun, you don’t analyze it too much. There are also some excellent secondary performers. Both Odenkirk as the President (who desperately wants to make the transition from his former career in TV into movies – several characters agree that only George Clooney and Woody Harrelson have done it successfully) and Alexander Skarsgard (as Canadian PM James Steward) offer hilarious studies in quirky self-deprecation.

Third, this film soars because of the scoring. We’re treated to an actual concert by Boyz II Men as well as well-timed selections ranging from Aretha Franklin (“Bridge Over Troubled Waters”) to David Bowie, The Cure, Blondie, Springsteen and others. At key points, the whole show is elevated by the tunes in the background pulling it along.

If you’re looking for a searing analysis of the existential angst that is the human condition, go see this year’s “Cold War” (or, better yet, don’t). If you want something cool and surprisingly refreshing on a hot Spring afternoon, see this film. You’ll smile all the way home.