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WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
When Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamourous lifestyle in the limelight. Sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
I've always been kind of on the fence when it comes to Seth Rogen comedies. I could never really connect with his under-the-belt jokes and pothead personas. Don't get me wrong, I think he's excellent at what he does – but I've never really clicked with what he has offered onscreen.
That was until I watched Long Shot in which the Canadian-born actor takes on the role of strong-willed journalist Fred Flarsky alongside Oscar-winning actress, Charlize Theron as United States Secretary of State, Charlotte Field.
If you're thinking that it seems like a very random combo for a rom-com, then you're entirely right. But, that's precisely what makes the film so great. This somewhat unexpected collaboration makes for one of the best comedies released on the big screen so far this year.
In fact, as a super-fan of Charlize, this might just be my favourite role she's ever taken on. It's a magical combination of smart, strong, and silly. Charlize's performance is flawless. She commands the screen when she needs to be firm and in the same breath becomes completely relatable when the storyline takes a more laidback turn.
Seth delivers a mature performance that elevates his career to a whole new level and makes me see him in a completely different light. Together the two are an absolute pleasure to watch as they tell a story that might seem totally unfathomable, but in all actuality is more realistic than what's currently going on in the White House.
Although set against a political backdrop, the story doesn't delve into the topic at all, opting instead to focus on the human side of the characters than their careers. A smart choice in a time when viewers are wanting to escape the noise of the real world.
Long Shot feels relevant, fresh, and completely honest. It's a raw comedy that offers not only an abundance of real laugh-out-loud moments but also delves a little deeper without being preachy or cheesy or too Hollywood for its own good.
It asks crucial questions about how we treat those closest to us when we're trying to impress others and explores serious themes in a wonderfully sincere way. It will make you think, it will make you laugh, and it will make you feel good – and that's exactly what the world needs now.
I highly recommend this film and think it's totally worth a trip to the cinema.
ALSO READ:
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WATCH: Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen had the most fun on the set of Long Shot
