Theron and Rogen spark in 'Long Shot'

Two major takeaways emerge from the new (and already criminally underseen) romantic comedy, “Long Shot.”

1. Charlize Theron can do no wrong.

2. During a period in which other comedy stars like Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler and Kevin Hart deliver one disappointment after another, Seth Rogen has a surprisingly consistent track record.

Even with early hits like “Knocked Up” and “Pineapple Express,” Rogen seemed like he could eventually overplay the “stoner manchild” persona in his films. While the recreational drug use certainly remains a steady presence, his movies, for the most part, have found creative ways to keep the laughs coming.

Not only is “Long Shot” consistently funny, it also delivers on the most enduring elements of a good romantic comedy. There’s a sparking chemistry between Theron and Rogen here, and the movie attempts to make a few mature observations about modern gender dynamics. It’s also very R-rated.

Theron stars as Secretary of State Charlotte Field, an effective and well-liked politician who begins contemplating a Presidential run (Bob Odenkirk has a great extended cameo as the current POTUS). When polling suggests she needs to show more levity at public events (because sexism), she hires an old childhood friend, Fred Flarsky (Rogen) to punch up her speeches. Fred is an aggressive investigative journalist who doesn’t have much faith in politics, while Charlotte wishes she could rekindle the passion she once had for solving the world’s problems.

Rogen playing a loudmouth sorta-conscience works well enough, but “Long Shot” succeeds largely on the captivating and hilarious performance by Theron. The story can only function if the movie convinces us that someone as ambitious and level-headed as Charlotte could show genuine romantic interest in Fred, and Theron brings out several dynamic aspects of the character.

Theron, an Oscar-winner back in 2003 for “Monster,” doesn’t get enough credit for how well she embodies so many different types of roles. Just from recent output, few actors could transition between “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Tully” and now “Long Shot” and deliver such convincing portraits.

Directed by Jonathan Levine (“The Night Before,” “Snatched”) and written by Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah, “Long Shot” takes a few creative turns in how it throws wrenches into Charlotte and Fred’s unlikely relationship, and the movie plays fair in how both characters ultimately need to make compromises.

For its middle stretch, “Long Shot” is also genuinely romantic, with some swoon-worthy moments between the two actors. The final act leans hard into some silliness, and it doesn’t quite sell its late-breaking message about political tolerance, but the performances remain strong and the laughs keep coming.

“Long Shot” got buried by the second weekend of “Avengers: Endgame” last weekend. While the “Endgame” success is much-deserved (it’s good!), there should be room at the multiplex for romantic comedies that actually hit the mark.

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Tyler WIlson can be reached at [email protected]