Director
Jonathan Levine
(THE NIGHT BEFORE, WARM BODIES, 50/50, THE WACKNESS)

Stars
Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, June Diane Raphael, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alexander Skarsgård, Bob Odenkirk and Andy Serkis

What a breath of fresh air LONG SHOT is to the romantic comedy genre. It not only tickles every taste bud you’d hope for from a rom-com, but is also one whose flavours can cater to many palettes.

In modern day politics, one of the most powerful women in the world – the U.S Secretary of State, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) – encounters an opportunity to make a run for the Presidency that she seizes. As she begins her global campaign, Charlotte is the recipient of glowing public recognition and rousing media attention, with the latter courtesy of rumours that she and the Canadian Prime Minister, James Steward (Alexander Skarsgård), have a thing. Meanwhile, disillusioned journalist Fred Flarsky’s (Seth Rogen) career is taking a nosedive after the company he works for announces that a much larger conglomerate will be taking over. When Charlotte and Fred cross paths, their careers are reaching polar opposite trajectories. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop Fred from charming his way into Charlotte’s life after she offers to employ him as her speechwriter. However, he must not only compete with the Canadian PM for her affection but also convince Charlotte’s loyal, but judgemental assistant Maggie Millikin (June Diane Raphael), that he is worthy.

Right now, LONG SHOT obliterates all other candidates and gains my vote to claiming victory as the best romantic comedy of 2019 by the year’s end.

One of the many great accomplishments you will find it serves during its term is the writing. The central plot is heavily focused on the career trajectory and aspirations of LONG SHOT’s strong-willed and sophisticated lead female character. A lot of the film’s cleverly conceived humour is derived from this set-up and its subject matters also happen to be engaging as well as bearing a certain amount of significance. You may get the sense there’s a ring of truth, albeit of a mocking nature, to some of the discussions and actions going on here, which will resonate. Furthermore, the dialogue is sharp and seizes its opportunities to realistically depict and ridicule all things politics and certain members of its personnel. LONG SHOT exudes and perfectly executes a distasteful brand of comedy within an environment and behind the scenes of where the complete opposite behaviour is a prerequisite.

To further support why LONG SHOT is a front runner in the rom-com field, you only need to look as far as the refreshing role reversal of its protagonists. To elaborate beyond that would require me to reveal some details I’d rather you discovered for yourselves.
What I will reveal though is just how welcoming and pleasing it is to hear a male character verbalising certain insecurities rarely seen in this genre of film.

I felt affection for and was heart-warmed by everything that eventuates in LONG SHOT, thanks largely to the perfectly pitched performances and organic chemistry of Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. Any sparks that ignite between their characters feels so genuine and is never contrived or corny. This is a truly smart and very funny romantic comedy that returns this genre very close to the peak of its irresistible powers.

Highly recommended.

4 stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Coarse language, sex and drug use)

Trailer
LONG SHOT

Moviedoc thanks Studiocanal for the invite to the screening of this film.

Opens nationally on May 2

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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