MOVIE REVIEW by Lucas Allen: ‘Long Shot’ is funny, but drags

Long Shot
(Lionsgate Films)

By Lucas Allen

If “Pretty Woman” was gender-reversed and commented on politics today, then you’d have the outrageous romantic comedy “Long Shot.”

This bold new take on the genre takes aim at both love and the state of America ideology, and should entertain everyone no matter what their political affiliation. It’s produced by the same people behind the hit comedies “Neighbors” and “Sausage Party,” and in their version of comedy, there’s no such thing as the word subtlety.
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a renegade journalist working for a small New York-based newspaper until he quits when the paper is bought out by billionaire industrialist Parker Wembley (Andy Serkis). To cheer him up, Fred’s buddy Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) takes him to a fancy party, where the Fred is reunited with his babysitter from years back, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron). She’s secretary of state, and about to take the place of President Chambers (Bob Odenkirk) in 2020. Though their reunion ends hilariously bad, it inspires her to hire him as her speechwriter.
Despite the objections of Field’s staffer, Maggie Millikin (June Diane Raphael), Fred travels with Charlotte on the campaign trail to help her with her speeches during her campaign. Along the way, they manage to rekindle their friendship, then fall in love. However, Maggie convinces her boss that dating Fred is not good for her image, and she’d be better off dating the Canadian prime minister (Alexander Skarsgard) instead. Their relationship and her campaign are threatened when the president’s environmental bill she’s promoting has shady secrets within.
Much like their previous comedies, there are some moments of shocking gross-out humor that deliver the biggest laughs. But for the most part, it’s a sweeter-natured romantic comedy where the more outrageous moments are downplayed. In some way, it creates a well-balanced experience that’s certainly more pleasing for a wider grown-up audience. It’s a movie where you and your date will have a great time with while enjoying the humorous moments together.
Though the movie is basically satirizing the state of American politics and pop culture, it bogs it down at times and slows down the momentum it was going for. It’s funny enough when it spoofs both the presidency and mainstream news media, but some of it could’ve been cut out of this already long two-hour runtime. Thankfully, the nicer moments between the two leads gives us breathing room to get engaged in the story. Despite some usual clichés that occur in other films of this tired genre, this story manages to keep things fresh and different without bordering on simply the same old stuff.
The chemistry between the two leads is great, especially for this unusual pairing. Rogen is basically playing the same character from his many comedies, but does get to add some tenderness to his character. Theron counters that in a terrific performance with moments of humor and humility that works for her.
In a sea of lackluster romantic comedies, “Long Shot” stands out and certainly worth a watch. If you can get past its politically charged humor, the rest of it should be entertaining enough for those looking for romance and hilarity in their date films. As the summer movie season begins, expect more star-studded titles like this to come your way.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for strong sexual content, language throughout, and some drug use)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)