'Long Shot' (2019) Review

Synopsis: When Fred Flarsky reunites with his childhood crush Charlotte Field, who happens to be one of the most influential women in the world, 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 glamorous 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.

Runtime: 125 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use)

Who should see it? Adult fans of romantic comedies.

Directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah, Long Shot is a romantic comedy which features the unlikely pairing of Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron. Those who know me or frequently visit my blog are likely aware that I don't often watch or review rom-coms. I tend to gravitate towards the sci-fi, action, musical, or awards-oriented fare. However, I chanced seeing Long Shot based on overwhelmingly positive word of mouth, and I'm glad I did. Long Shot isn't a groundbreaking or revolutionary rom-com by any means, but it's certainly an enjoyable one!

Setting itself apart from other romantic comedies, Long Shot is imbued with sharp political commentary. Refreshingly, the political angle of the story doesn't become too ham-fisted or relentlessly attack one side of the aisle. Screenwriters Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah acknowledge the pervasive problems in contemporary political discourse, scandals, and elections with a balanced perspective and poke fun at the division along the way. If you're legitimately offended by the humor in Long Shot, then you're probably just taking it too seriously. Your political stance shouldn't detract from your enjoyment because Long Shot's about so much more than political squabbling. That's merely the set dressing. 

At its core, Long Shot exemplifies the age-old mantra to "be yourself" and not compromise your integrity for the sake of achievement. Levine, Sterling, and Hannah just so happen to present this theme in a political context. In her ambitions to become president, does Charlotte Field lose herself? It's relevant and applicable to any candidate running for office, regardless of their party. Will they stay true to their word and what lengths are they willing to go to maintain a quality public image? The outcome's predictable since Long Shot abides by the rom-com bylaws to a tee, but the film retains an honest appraisal of the contemporary political landscape along the way. And, of course, it helps that Long Shot is a hysterical affair as well! Not every joke lands, but I laughed at the vast majority of one-liners.

Given Rogan's involvement, I feel it's worth noting that certain gags involve sex/drugs because I'm aware this may repel some viewers, but these rarely degraded the picture and proved to be relatively insignificant. Long Shot also doesn't devolve into a quip-fest, retaining focus on the story at hand rather than constantly exchanging one-liners.

Anchoring the feature, Charlize Theron and Seth Rogan share a delightful rapport. Theron portrays Charlotte Field as a self-serious politician while Rogan's Fred Flarsky is an endearing schmuck. Though the match-up's impractical, the actors play well off one another. Sprinkled in the supporting cast, Bob Odenkirk, Ravi Patel, June Diana Raphael, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Alexander Skarsgård, and an unrecognizable Andy Serkis each shine in their varying roles.

Long Shot may seem like a long shot based on its premise and those involved, but the endearing romance, a pair of likable leads, sharp political commentary, and a cascade of hilarious bits ensure it's a worthwhile venture. 

Film Assessment: B