Rogen, Theron form unlikely romance that works wonders in ‘Long Shot’

Note to self: Charlize Theron is the pinnacle of amazingness.

Directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50, The Night Before), Long Shot stars Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, O’Shea Jackson Jr., June Diane Raphael, Ravi Patel, Bob Odenkirk and Andy Serkis.

After a long-time reunion, Secretary of State Charlotte Field brings aboard journalist Fred Flarsky to write speeches for her. Eventually, their closeness sends sparks between them, leaving Field unsure whether a relationship with the oddball will help her with her upcoming run for Presidency.

I know what you’re thinking, “A political comedy? Eh. I think I’ll pass.”

Long Shot is more than just politics. It stays away from the easy SNL Trump jokes or Republican versus Democrats. It takes the time to focus on characters and relationship issues set in a political world, rather than the intricacies of the world itself.

As layered as it is, Long Shot centers its hilarious antics and statements about honesty and love around Rogen’s Flarsky and Theron’s Field.

The lead couple’s chemistry will break or make a romantic comedy. Fortunately, my initial thought about how random this pairing is removes itself. They are both lively and take acting risks.

We’ve seen Rogen in more subdued roles in films such as Steve Jobs, 50/50 and Take This Waltz. It’s a nice jump from straight up, stoner and gross-out comedy, and Long Shot firmly marks Rogen’s status as a goofy dude to a goofy dude who can really act. Hell, he and Theron hit their targets when it comes to seamlessly acting in endearing and serious scenes to profanity and drug-filled scenes.

Even Theron, an Academy Award winner, breaks her serious actress stereotype as a powerful political figure that learns more about herself, including a more generous attitude toward a certain little rave pill. Theron kills it.

There’s a touching moment between Flarsky and his best friend, played by Jackson Jr., where the filmmakers decided to not shy away from being political. However, Long Shot knows that swaying on a certain side won’t win over anyone.

The two characters point out the flaw in being both Republican and Democrat in today’s climate; it shows how there’s knowledge in listening to each other and being open.

Politics is a tricky topic to juggle in movies, or any multimedia project. While I do think there are some Democratic Hollywood touches in the script. The message is clear, and not at all what Long Shot wants to get across in the first place.

Long Shot is primarily a romantic comedy, just set in a political world.

Director Jonathan Levine molds a classic, underdog romance to its highest worth. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

The third acts plays out like an overused sequence of scenes that I’ve seen way too many times. From the ‘all is lost’ moment to the end credits, Long Shot doesn’t seem to take the risks it took in the first two acts.

But this is a feel-good comedy. What do you expect?

After getting to know these characters like my best friends, I wanted to them to get together by the end.

If they do or don’t get together, the unveiling by the end is satisfactory and I’d recommend this solid comedy. Long Shot bears its fruits for the romantics in this world, and those who have already seen Avengers: Endgame more than five times. Watch something else for a change.