Rogen and Theron take a ‘Long Shot’
One of the most fun kinds of movies is the type that puts together two stars who appear to be utterly dissimilar – but by the nature of the story, you know their characters will have to find common ground. “Long Shot” (which Cinemax shows Sunday, Oct. 25, and Thursday, Oct. 29) is that sort of picture, and once you know the actors in question are Oscar winner Charlize Theron and noted screen prankster Seth Rogen, it’s easy to tell that this certainly is that odd-couple kind of tale. She’s the U.S. Secretary of State and someone who has presidential aspirations, and he’s an investigative reporter who throws protocol and politeness to the wind in the trademark Rogen way. She also happens to have been his babysitter a couple of decades ago ... and when she needs a new political speechwriter to make her sound more down-to-earth and “human,” guess who she hires? If you stop and question the overall credibility of “Long Shot,” it’s like sticking a pin in a balloon – and it will deflate just that fast. It’s better just sit to back and enjoy the fantasy that you know it will offer, though Theron offers hints that she really could be quite commanding as a figure in the political world. However, a lot of this is wish fulfillment, particularly in the case of Rogen and his “Long Shot” alter ego. This isn’t to say that the romance in the story couldn’t ever happen, but let’s face it, it’s ... yes, a long shot. And those who made the movie know it, thus creating the framework for the slightly elevated frat-boy humor Rogen is so famous (and successful) for. That also gives Theron the opportunity to do what she does best, which looks even better with such a juxtaposition of styles. Classy, fashionable and reserved, she’s pretty much everything he’s not; therein lies the humor as they initially collide, then begin to develop a considerably warmer relationship.