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Thanks to fine performances from Lake Bell and Simon Pegg, Man Up largely strikes the deceptively difficult balance between romance and comedy.
All Critics (77) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (15)
Bell and Pegg are utterly defeated by a screenplay that favours plot over characterization to an almost surreal, parodic degree.
Both actors stay sharp through some pretty degrading moments, and if Palmer and screenwriter Tess Morris are bent on serious button-pushing in the closing scenes, at least they garnish it with playfulness and wit.
Man Up has a couple of bits that don't quite work and the ending is just silly, but for the most part, Pegg and Bell carry this thing through sheer force of personality.
Aside from the silly title and disappointingly pat ending, even the rom-com-averse will find something to love about Man Up.
Bell and Pegg, both terrific comic actors, mine small gestures and reactions for laughs. But they're at their best when they're talking, and they talk a lot in "Man Up."
There are enough twists, turns and strange little bumps in the road to make this well-traveled journey to romantic comedy bliss surprisingly worthwhile.
A top-notch romantic comedy...
Man Up is supposedly a rom-com but, it's so formulaic and full of cliches, by the end of the 88 mins you're left thinking Man Down, Man Down!
Man Up is so far from selling anything, I began to wonder if it was some kind of audience test or scientific experiment: how many undesirable characters and situations can we get into a single film?
Man Up is a classic romantic comedy about two people who are too old, too wise, too jaded for classic romantic comedies, and that's precisely why it works.
Pegg and Bell click, and that's enough to carry the picture.
So many modern romantic comedies are the equivalent of a date that pukes on your shoes and steals your wallet; at least Man Up wants to be friends.
Lake Bell and Simon Pegg generate sexy-silly chemistry playing two unlucky-in-love losers on a blind date...only Nancy isn't actually the girl Jack was set up with. The mistaken identity plot is satisfyingly coincidental, and the post-reveal misadventures walk a fine line between uproarious and moving. The title is somewhat of a sexist misnomer, but kudos for the (unintentional?) "Love Actually" tribute in the end. And I spotted Paul Thornley, the guy who plays adult Ron Weasley in "The Cursed Child"! Definitely one of those hidden Netflix gems that shouldn't be missed!
Super Reviewer
The casual nature of this film mixes romantic and comedy genres well. The chemistry between Lake Bell and Simon Pegg is spot on and they make an impressive pair. The premise is fun and indicative of the audience this film is trying to attract. The fact that the film makes these people complicated, obtuse, and difficult only adds to their realism as people with baggage and experience. Lake Bell does some great accent work, remains a relatable mess in the best of ways and plays off Pegg well. Both feel like lovable jerks and entertain throughout. Highly recommend for fans of both.
A Brit romcom that transcends the genre due to some clever writing and the sparkling charisma/chemistry of its leads. Pegg downplays the man/boy film persona he seems popular for to come off like a real guy for a welcome change. More of that please. And Bell? This is only the second time I'm seen her and both times I decided early on in either film that I didn't like her, but by the credits I've forgotten that that's what I was thinking. What is this magic she this vixen weaves?
Typical tame English rom com. It was entertaining enough, but I felt like I had seen it all before.
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