From the director of The Inbetweeners Movie, comes a fun and original romantic comedy, starring Lake Bell and Simon Pegg as the accidental couple on a blind date gone wrong.
The film tells the story of Nancy (Bell) – a 34 year old singleton who is struggling to ‘get back out there’ after four years of being alone. After a particularly disastrous attempt to get back on the dating wagon at a friend’s wedding reception, she boards a train back to London – where she’s due to give a much-anticipated toast at her parent’s 40th anniversary party. However, things start to go pleasantly awry for Nancy, when runs in with a 40 year old divorcée called Jack (Pegg), who mistakes her for his 24 year old blind date. Struck by the fateful suddenness of such an encounter, Nancy decides to just go with it. And so begins a night of eventful hilarity, as she tries – and inevitably fails – to keep up with the charade.
The film has all the hallmarks of a classic rom-com; a peppy upbeat soundtrack, several awkwardly endearing moments of connection, the odd burst of hilarity, a fair amount of blubbing and at the centre of it all – two characters who seem perfect for each other. Simon Pegg and Lake Bell do a wonderful job of steering the movie into place. Pegg proves himself to be an affable leading man, combining his winning charm with a more complex set of emotions. Meanwhile, Bell – who is American – provides an almost flawless English accent, that is very Bridget Jones-like in it’s believability. The character of Nancy is infact very much like Bridget Jones – she’s a thirty-something journalist with aims and mantras to improve herself. She is also likeable, funny and for the most part – very relatable. It’s hard not to connect with her on some level – whether it be through her hilariously impressive lip-syncing to The Silence of the Lambs or her ludicrous sex theories and general awkwardness.
The supporting cast is also fairly decent. Ophelia Lovibond features as Jessica – Jack’s intended 24 year old date who is loathesomely chirpy and optimistic. Rory Kinnear also appears throughout the film, playing the part of Sean – an old schoolmate of Nancy’s, who is obsessively creepy in his attempts to secure a romantic moment with her. Though not particularly likeable as characters, these two serve as grotesque alternative love interests for both protagonists – which, especially in the case of Kinnear’s character, provides much cringe-induced hilarity. Also among the supporting cast are Sharon Horgan and Ken Stott as Nancy’s sister and father.
Of course, this is not the perfect rom-com. Though the premise is certainly interesting – and very engaging within the first half – the film does slightly struggle as it nears it’s obligatory happy ending. The story happens all on one singular night, which works splendidly when we see Nancy and Jack first get together and start to connect, despite the strange happenstance of their union. But as the film enters it’s conclusion, what was at first a very plausible and real spark of romance between two characters, becomes an overly melodramatic and upsettingly unrealistic stand-off of typical “you were the one all along” soundbites. It may sound cynical, but it just didn’t seem realistic that two characters could get that powerfully emotional after just one date. Granted, they drunk a lot and had a very eventful evening, but – despite the fact that they are like two peas in a pod – the conclusion could have done with toning down a little. To further nitpick, the petite frame of Bell does slightly contradict her character’s supposed aversion to fitness – but her performance as a whole overshadows that for the majority of the film.
Ultimately, if taken with the same pinch of salt that surely all rom-coms have come to require upon watching, this film will prove to be enjoyable, funny and endearing.
Man Up is out in cinemas nationwide now.
Words by Annie Honeyball