LONG SHOT

Director Jonathan Levine, writers Liz Hannah, Dan Sterling, but pivotally, stars Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen are grounds for visiting “Long Shot”; an unlikely duo, a stupefying example of “opposites bonding”; initially incomprehensible, with progression, systematically comprehensible; Secretary of State, “Charlotte Field” (Theron) anticipating a run for the Presidency hires “Fred Flarsky” (Rogen) a freelance writer, to pepper her speeches with hilarity, compassion and genuineness; they have a history, Charlotte babysat Fred, when they were thirteen and sixteen and she was a nascent environmentalist; both actors supremely imbue their characterizations with intelligence, wit and credible romance.

“Long Shot” wallows in comfortable plagiarism: similarities to CBS’s “Madam Secretary” starring Tea Leoni; bewitching 1992’s “Scent of a Woman” which garnished Al Pacino an Academy Award; salaciously farcical, 1998’s “There’s Something About Mary” with Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller; familiarity breeds respect, titillation, admiration.

Theron’s glamour, Rogen’s inimitable comedic acuity, are matched impeccably; predictability, mawkish sentimentality, political grandstanding cannot diminish the entertainment effectiveness of “Long Shot”.

THREE & 1/2 STARS!!!

Peneflix