When the newspaper Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) works for is bought out by Rupert Murdoch like Parker Wembley (Andy Serkis) he quits his job in protest. In an effort to cheer him up his best friend Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) takes him to an exclusive party where he sees the girl who babysat him as a teenager. His old crush Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is now the U.S. Secretary of State and she is in need of a script writer to help her presidential bid.

Long Shot is a high concept romantic comedy that absolutely nails everything it aims for. It’s genuinely laugh out loud funny from beginning to end, its leads have excellent chemistry and really sell the romance and it’s intelligent and clever with its political and social commentary.

In terms of humour it has pratfalls, gross out visual gags to rival There’s Something about Mary, pop culture references and also fun and wry observations about political office. There are no bum notes and it’s consistently hilarious.

The chemistry between the two leads is great. Rogen plays his typical unkempt, outspoken loser. Theron is all elegance and professionalism. But the script gives the characters real common ground that they can bond over which makes their relationship build into something heartfelt. Whilst the fear that the relationship will lose Field political ground is something politicians struggle with in today’s world.

And there are so many jabs at things that really hit home in our current times. A woman in power needing to prove herself more than male counterparts. Should politicians have to worry about what the public think of their personal lives? A President more interested in his TV persona than policy and the fact that the public care more about this too. A news mogul who shapes politics with their newspapers and stations. Politicians compromising to the point that they lose their beliefs and values. Some of these things aren’t subtly presented but they really make a point and draw laughs.

An absolute joy.