Long Shot is a terrible title for a not-so-terrible movie. I won’t mention too much more about the title other than to say that it’s a difficult title to remember and to associate with a film about a Secretary of State (who isn’t really a long shot) and her political campaign and run for the presidency after the incumbent president decides that he won’t be seeking reelection. Nevertheless, Jonathan Levine’s political rom-com (50/50, The Night Before) packs in the laughs while cutting into today’s political landscape just enough to be edgy but not so over the top that it will divide audiences. Long Shot may not be remembered for its title. Still, it will be remembered for its intelligent, timely writing, witty banter, crunch-worthy predicaments, and solid performances from its two leads.
Category Archives: Jonathan Levine
50/50 (2011)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra) further exemplified what I predicted of him after seeing 2009’s (500 Days) of Summer, which was that he was the next big thing in Hollywood. Gordon-Levitt (just 29 at the time) had already shown his abilities as a supporting actor in several critically acclaimed movies, including Stop-Loss, The Lookout, and Brick. However, these movies failed to top $11 million at the box office. (500 Days of Summer generated $32 million domestically and earned Gordon-Levitt a Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Golden Globe Nomination. Though he did not win the award that year (Robert Downey Jr.’s won for his role in Sherlock Holmes), it opened the door for more starring roles for the young actor. This included the opportunity to star in 50/50, a movie where he earned his second Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Golden Globe Nomination.
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