I thought I didn’t like movies based on comic books but I really enjoyed the new Avengers movie. So I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that although, not a fan of romantic comedies (Lord knows the Hubby loves Rom-com), I really enjoyed Long Shot. OMG what is going on!! Maybe I’m in an alternate universe. Wait, did I just see the Black Widow at Shop Rite? (clue, read the on line blogs about Black Widow).
Long Shot, a quick two hour flick, stars Charlize Theron as Charlotte Price, the United States Secretary of State, and that zany but loveable Seth Rogen as journalist Fred Flarsky.
Charlotte and Fred go way back, so far back that she couldn’t remember whom he is at first. But Fred remembered, you always remember your sixteen year old babysitter, when you are thirteen and steaming along on the puberty super train.
The movie opens with Charlotte being called into the Oval Office by the President, who is similar to our current commander and chief. The President tells Charlotte, he will not be seeking a second term. Before the Oval Office he’d been the President on TV, a good one because he won six Golden Globes. However, he is seeking a more prestigious career, as an actor in the movies. He then tells Charlotte, he will endorse her for the Presidency, because she’s been a good secretary. She adds Secretary of State, he asks which state, and she says all of them. LOVED IT!
Charlotte’s team, lead by assistant, Maggie are busy planning platforms and combing through market research as they prepare for her presidential campaign announcement. Seems, she has a horrible wave, but they are bringing in a wave expert to fix that. And her speechwriter isn’t cutting it; she’s not connecting to the masses.
And that is where Fred Flarsky comes in. His reintroduction to Charlotte is hilarious.
As this is a political based movie, we have to have “fake news” coverage. It’s not Fox, but it’s Wembley News (a close first cousin of Fox). News clips from Wembley (ala Fox and Friends) are inserted throughout the story, becoming more demeaning and disturbing as Charlotte becomes more popular. Fred is hesitant to sign on to Charlotte’s campaign, he is an idealist and concerned his words are window dressing, not bringing real change. But, convinced by Charlotte, he becomes part of her team, much to the dismay of Maggie.
Fred is working his journalist magic, and Charlotte is becoming the headliner on the evening news. But, more importantly Fred and Charlotte are connecting, and not in the babysitter way. We have the reverse Pretty Woman scene, yes she’s in the red dress and he’s in a tux, but she is firmly in command ala Richard Gere.
A multi-country tour begins, as Charlotte seeks the passage of a global environmental initiative, which when completed, will be the kick off to her presidential campaign. Everything is going well until Mr. Wembley News and the President learn their bank accounts will be negatively affected by parts of the initiative. This brings us to an embarrassingly hilarious webcam scene, that once you see it, you will always close the lid on your laptop.
This movie is chock filled with great one-liners. To the Uber driver “Drive faster, we’ll give you a real tip—not an Uber tip!”
Fred quotes the President “Hurricanes are caused by gay marriage” “After I’ve had some dairy, I am one of the world’s greatest polluters” by Fred “I was in a motorcade, we ate a lot of Curry, we couldn’t stop, I couldn’t wait, I ruined a perfectly good handbag. You threw up in the handbag? No…” I don’t want to forget about Lance, Fred’s college roommate and “wingman” Fabulous scene when Lance comes out to Fred as a Republican and a man of Christian faith. I don’t know what horrified Fred more, the Republican or Christian confession. Lance points out he has always worn a cross necklace. Fred said he thought it was “a thing” because he’s black. That was received well—not.
Seriously just a fun movie, made all the more enjoyable due to it’s spot on casting and chemistry.
Long Shot is rated B+. I would of rated higher, but for some reason the director used jerky camera movements during certain indoor scenes, which I didn’t understand, and made viewing a bit uncomfortable.
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