I’m not generally a fan of rom coms and tend to find them soppy, predictable and unrealistic. So I decided to take a chance and step out of my comfort zone to review this film, although the fact it stars Simon Pegg helped my decision.
I was cautious as I saw the trailer and had a horrible feeling that it showed all of the funny bits. Any regular readers of my reviews would know that I have an ongoing issue with the marketing not holding back with what they spoil, in order to get a big audience for the opening weekend. I had an optimistic feeling that I wouldn’t be able to predict all the twists and turns and I was pleasantly surprised by this film.
To summarise, Man Up is the story of a mid-30’s woman who gets mistaken by someone else’s blind date and ends up meeting her perfect man.
Nancy (Lake Bell) is a 34-year-old singleton with a less than optimistic outlook on life. We all know someone like this: moans about not having a partner or a satisfying life yet doesn’t push themselves to improve it. However she is trying and has a journal with self-imposed rules in order to improve her wellbeing.
While travelling on a train to her parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, random passenger Jessica (Ophelia Lovibond) overhears her struggles and offers Nancy the self-help book 6 Billion People and You’. Jessica informs Nancy that because of this book she is now going on a blind date at Waterloo station where her and her suitor will recognise each other by holding up the book.
Nancy wakes up at the station to find that the Good Samaritan has left the book, and in a frantic attempt to find her and return it she is met by Jack (Simon Pegg) holding his book. Dazed and smitten, she then assumes Jessica’s identity (kind of) and goes on her date.
Britain has a history of producing some excellent rom coms such as Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999) and Love actually (2003) (all written by Richard Curtis), and I’m glad to say that Man Up is up in the ranks.
This film has believable and honest central characters and the joke ratio is very high. This isn’t a gross out film and while some of the adult conversations may offend some, everyone in the screening was cackling along. I could definitely relate to the conversations between the two leads and I found this openness refreshing as they seemed like normal and real people.
They both have issues which they are trying to overcome, and self-help books, motivational quotes on LinkedIn and new aged spirituality are all the rage these days. One common piece of advice is to let go’ of the past and your baggage in order to escape your comfort zone and set yourself free, which this film conveys.
Neither Nancy nor Jack are very good at doing this as the film shows us which leads to some hilarious scenes, one involving Jack’s ex-wife, another when Nancy meets one of her old classmates Sean (Rory Kinnear) who threatens to expose her assumed identity. I won’t go into details but he steals almost every scene he is in.
But when the truth is finally revealed the real game begins and compliments turn into hilarious insults.
Simon Pegg is perfectly cast as Jack and pulls off being confused, dashing, quirky, loveable, vulnerable and overall British. Just like he is in most films, which isn’t a bad thing.
One big surprise for me is discovering that Lake Bell is American! Her accent is perfect and much better than Renee Zellweger’s in Bridget Jones Diary (2001). She also has all the mannerisms of a strong, upfront and quirky British woman. She perfectly encapsulates arrogance, vulnerability and the character’s personality. Someone give her an award and a pint!
Together Bell and Pegg’s chemistry works incredibly well on screen throughout their ups and downs.
This film was directed by Ben Palmer who has helmed several episodes of The Inbetweeners (2008-2010), which similarly followed flawed characters trying to find love and make sense of the world. As in the show, he brings lots of laughs and a few uncomfortable moments, and the pace never sags.
Man Up encourages spontaneity and hope in taking chances as in most cases you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Nancy successfully moved out of her comfort zone and took a chance. Will it pay off? Go watch this film, and bring a friend while you’re at it.
Overall Verdict: This is one of the best British comedies that I have seen in a while and would make a great date movie. Honest characters, performances and situations make this one of the funniest and most refreshing rom-coms in years!
Reviewer: George Elcombe