Director Jonathan Levine delivers a colourful look at politics with Long Shot. This is an idealistic view of politics, one in which politicians - some at least - actually care about the work they're doing, beyond the usual approval ratings and expense claims. We will never see a politician like this, they'd either bend to the status quo or be forced out by the others. But enough about that, we can all dream about decent politicians later. This may be a romantic comedy, but Long Shot is still a Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg undertaking. As you would expect there is a lot of low brow hilarity, although they have dialled it back a little - I'm not sure anyone is ready for another "Sausage Party" just yet. Watch out for a tip on the perils of having a beard. But whereas their previous projects like "The Interview" and "This Is The End" have felt kind of stupid (in a good way), this is a little more grounded stupidity. A perfect example of this being an early scene in which Flarsky attempts to infiltrate a white supremacist gang, it's delightfully messed up...on so many levels.
Long Shot is a hilarious romantic/fish out of water comedy, and in the middle of it all are two perfect leads. Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen may not be the first two people you'd think of pairing up, but it is a stroke of genius. These two have perfect chemistry, there's a genuine connection between them, one that feels almost palpable. Watching a free-wheeling journalist like Flarsky, one who's been able to report on the issues without having to sugar-coat it, try to fit in with the political system is uproarious. And then on the flip side you've got Charlotte, an intelligent, sophisticated, elegant diplomat who has absolutely no life away from work. She's working toward the Oval Office, and now she has to deal with a care-free, dishevelled writer - one who clashes with everyone else on her staff. Seeing them meet in the middle, as they try to snatch a few private moments whilst also trying to do their jobs is where the real joy is to be had.
9/10
I liked it quite well also. The gross out level does hit a high Mark in the one scene but otherwise it was tolerable. I was surprised how well this combination of actors worked.
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