Two fine comedians Simon Pegg and Lake Bell turn up the fun in the film Man Up now playing at select theaters. Their chemistry reaches high levels as they deliver a very enjoyable romance that has a lot of twists to its rewarding ending. Nicely directed by Ben Palmer, one of England’s top television directors, the film’s perfect for a date night out.
Coming off a long relationship and finding herself without a partner that has kept her in the comfort zone, Nancy (Lake Bell) has been over burden with advice from her sister Elaine (Sharon Horgan) and friends who push guys at her. Thinking it’s getting late in life to establish another serious relationship, she decides to give it all up. She halfheartedly dives into writing the speech she’s to give for her parents Bert (Ken Stott) and Fran’s (Harriet Walter) 40th Anniversary and focuses on getting to London for the party.
On the train she meets Jessica (Ophelia Lovibond) who overhears Nancy’s telephone conversation with Elaine and suggests she reads “Six Billion People and You: a Guide to meeting your mate in the modern world”. She advises Nancy to press forward and find a man she can love as she is doing by meeting a blind date at the next station with that book being her identification. After leaving the train Nancy notices she has left her book behind and rushes to track her down. Not in time, Jack (Simon Pegg) her blind date, mistakes Nancy for Jessica starting a wild and wacky night of drinking, dancing and false identity.
The story goes on from there with some very hilarious situations. Director Ben Palmer moves his film along adding some twists and turning the couple’s lives upside down. He’s good at getting excellent performances out of the well know comedians and that’s what makes the film so good. There are a lot of romantic comedies available for rent, but this one has that edge for a good date. Maybe even for that first computer date you want to explore.
Lake Bell and Simon Pegg are brilliant together making the situation of their meeting understandably odd and incredibly believable. Bell’s Nancy has had a hard time coming to terms with her trivial existence and her sister has added a lot of stress by pushing her to take the first step. When this opportunity comes along, although not hers, she jumps at the chance of taking the date to let her hair down. Bell works her character into a dither as she tries to hide her real identity adding that ‘what would you do’ factor to the film.
Pegg’s Jack is a way out guy who dominates the conversation not realizing he’s with the wrong girl. Jack carries a lot of baggage including divorce papers he happens to be have with him in his ‘man bag’. He makes the date a wild and fun time as he goes from his favorite watering hole to a delirious night of bowling. Being in his mid-40’s and thinking he has Jessica in hand who’s supposed to be in her mid-20’s doesn’t help the situation with Nancy, but that’s the real test that works its way into the relationship.
Man Up has been rated R for language and sexual references. It’s a very funny romp around London and the funniest date film for first timers or long time lovers. Match.com anyone?
FINAL ANALYSIS: A seamless film that plays out to a satisfying ending. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Simon Pegg, Lake Bell, Sharon Horgan, Ophelia Lovibond, Paul Thornley, Rory Kinnear, Ken Stott, Harriet Walter
Directed by: Ben Palmer
Genre: Comedy Romance
MPAA Rating: R for language and sexual references
Running Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Distributed by: Saban Films