The Pairing Of Rogen & Theron Is A Long Shot

(l-r) Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron

By Darlene Donloe

Who knew Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron  would make such a delicious comedy team?

Apparently they knew because the two of them are hilarious in the light-hearted, sometimes naughty comedy, Long Shot, out in theaters nationwide on May 3.

For the first time in a long time, there is an adult comedy in the mix.YAY!

Fred Flarsky (Rogen) is an opinionated journalist who walks away from his gig when he finds out his newspaper has been sold to a huge conglomerate, not unlike the ones he raked across the coals in his columns.

Charlotte Field (Theron) is the Secretary of State to a dumb as dirt President (Bob Odenkirk) whose goal is to up his game by not seeking re-election so he can become a movie star.  Since he’s not seeking re-election, Field gets the president’s endorsement and decides to run for the presidency.

As luck would have it, Flarsky’s hilarious childhood best friend, (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) takes him to a swanky party where Field is also in attendance.

(l-r) Seth Rogen and O'Shea Jackson Jr.

Flarsky and Field stare at each other from across the room – but not for what you think. You see, back in the day - Field used to babysit for a 13-year-old Flarsky, who had a huge crush on her. When they figure out how they know each other – there is an almost immediate bond.

Field, who is always well put together asks Flarsky, who is always disheveled, to join her staff as a punch-up speechwriter. At first, he declines but then gets on board.

(l-r) Alexander Skarsgard and Charlize Theron

Field, who kinda dated a handsome Canadian politician (Alexander Skarsgard), admits to Flarsky that it’s hard to have a relationship because of her schedule so she dates people who are also busy and travel a lot. She says, “It’s hard to keep those things alive. Who wants to follow me around the world and hope I have five minutes to be affectionate.”  That being said, even though Field is out of Flarsky's league, she eventually falls for him. Of course, he is already head over heels in love with her. Talk about a Long Shot!

Although they try hard to keep their relationship under wraps, eventually, they are found out by the head of a conglomerate who has some footage on Flarsky that could bring Field’s run for the presidency to a complete halt.

(l-r)  Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen 

In between all of that - the two of them have a helluva a lot of fun and a helluva lot of sex along the way.  They even share some Molly one night, which turns out to be both good and bad.  Yes, they get high. But no, because, of course, once Fields is high as a kite, she has to squelch an international incident. Just how she handles the situation is one of the best scenes in the movie.

Rogen and Theron, who are also producers on the film, have some real chemistry. Who saw that coming? The result is a funny-as-hell rom-com.  

We already know that Rogen is a comedy genius.  Theron, who looks gorgeous in this film, is a wonderful surprise. She has great comedic timing and an infectious laugh.

While it literally is an unlikely scenario, Long Shot is a wonderful cinematic escape that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Long Shot, directed by Jonathan Levine, stars Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, and O'Shea Jackson Jr., Bob Odenkirk, June Diane Raphael, Andy Serkis, and Alexander Skarsgard.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Long Shot gets at O (oh, yeah).