When I started to see ads for the new comedy Long Shot, starring Seth Rogen as a man in a romantic relationship with Charlize Theron, I had doubts. Because, like: Him? With her? So it's Knocked Up again, but with an even more out-of-his-league woman? No. Please. Not only does it make no sense (she would never!) itâs a terrible message to sendâagain!âto the lazy Seth Rogen wannabes of America, with their cargo pants and weed and neckbeards. How dare they?
HOWEVER: This movie fucking rules!
Thankfully, Long Shot isn't another addition to the mid-2000s family of comedies where dude-bros are nagged to death into loving beautiful women. Itâs maybe... 10 percent that. The other 90 percent is a reverse Pretty Woman, including lots of making out, amazing outfits, and yes, Rosette.
Rogen is fully competent as a funny schlub, and Theron destroys as a secretary of state and presidential hopeful, and the two of them together areâI know, this is weirdâcharming as hell, and their relationship totally works. While the filmâs final act gets a bit schmaltzy (it's way more rom than com), the overall experience is wonderful. Iâll never question a neckbeardâs value ever again.