“Long Shot” Seems To Be Another SXSW Comedy Hit
It seems like each year a movie at South by Southwest, specifically a comedic one, seems to connect with the audience and launch to great success. Previous years have seen things like Blockers, The Disaster Artist, and Trainwreck showcase their wares to rave early word. Just like the initial reviews for Us can launch that to financial success and potential awards season love, strong notices here for comedies can lead to tremendous roads ahead (The Disaster Artist even became an Academy Award nominee). This year, we have Long Shot. Though it doesn’t sound like an Oscar flick, it does sound like most at SXSW are of the opinion that it’s a hit in the making and the funniest effort of 2019 to date.
The film is a romantic comedy about an unlikely pairing. The plot synopsis, courtesy of IMDb: “Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world. Smart, sophisticated, and accomplished, she’s a powerhouse diplomat with a talent for…well, mostly everything. The two have nothing in common, except that she was his babysitter and childhood crush. When Fred unexpectedly reconnects with Charlotte, he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter, much to the dismay of her trusted advisors. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamourous lifestyle in the limelight. However, sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.” Rogen and Theron are an unusual rom com pairing, but it sounds like it really works. To be sure, the concept of the latter running for President is compelling. Jonathan Levine directs a screenplay by Liz Hannah and Dan Sterling. Yves Bélanger is behind the camera handling the cinematography, while the score is from Marco Beltrami and Miles Hankins. Supporting players include O’Shea Jackson Jr., Bob Odenkirk, Ravi Patel, Randall Park, June Diane Raphael, Andy Serkis, Alexander Skarsgård, and more.
Here are some of the responses to Long Shot from SXSW:
#LongShot is pretty great – a hilarious political romantic comedy that’s stuffed with humor and is way more romantic than I expected it to be. O’Shea Jackson Jr. steals a ton of scenes & now I definitely want to see Charlize Theron run for President#SXSW pic.twitter.com/SS2MYozElK
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 10, 2019
Holy shit, maybe its the overwhelming wave of the crowd, but #LongShot knocked my socks off. Such a raucous response. Went over like gangbusters. Hilarious, sweet, charming. @Sethrogen and @CharlizeAfrica kill it. #SXSW is such a perfect launch pad for this film
— Rodrigo @ #SXSW Perez 📽🎞📺 (@YrOnlyHope) March 10, 2019
LONG SHOT is the biggest surprise out of SXSW! Hilarious, timely, & heartfelt. Charlize Theron & Seth Rogen are a match made in comedic heaven. This film is consistently great from start to finish. A real crowd pleaser that is sure to be a smash hit when released. #LongShot pic.twitter.com/MydG9NboC2
— Scott Menzel @ SXSW (@TheOtherScottM) March 10, 2019
#LongShot is funny, charming, and timely. Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen have shockingly pitch-perfect chemistry together in a film that has a bit of everything for everyone. The funniest film of #SXSW so far! pic.twitter.com/l2C0my3GGQ
— Ashley Menzel @ SXSW (@AshleyGMenzel) March 10, 2019
LONG SHOT is so good. This is what every studio movie wishes it could be when it grows up. Works on every level, with movie stars movie starring it up in the best way.
— Keith Calder (@keithcalder) March 10, 2019
Sorry still coming down from a Boyz II Men high but I swear before I lost my entire mind I loooooooooved LONG SHOT. 💚Charlize💚Seth💚 #SXSW
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) March 10, 2019
LONG SHOT: Charlize Theron really can do anything, it’s sort of ridiculous #SXSW19
— Jason Bailey (@jasondashbailey) March 10, 2019
Whoa, the crazy crowdpleasing LONGSHOT just won the “Everyone’s drunk and we love this movie and this festival” award. Previous winners include SPRING BREAKERS, BABY DRIVER, and A QUIET PLACE. #SXSW
— Sean Fennessey (@SeanFennessey) March 10, 2019
LONG SHOT: A tug of war between what it gets wrong about politics (gender and International) and how INCREDIBLY likable Theron & Rogen are. Exhibit 59 in “Charlize Theron Can Do Anything.”
— Brian Tallerico (@Brian_Tallerico) March 10, 2019
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Stay tuned for much more on Long Shot in the months to come as it builds buzz before its May release date!
