Today’s quick review: Man Up. Thirty-four years old and single, Nancy Patterson (Lake Bell) has all but given up hope on finding a boyfriend. Her luck turns around when Jack (Simon Pegg), a charming man trying to get over a messy divorce, confuses her for his blind date. The two hit it off and spend a romantic afternoon getting to know each other. But disaster strikes their budding relationship when Jack finds out who Nancy really is.
Man Up is a romantic comedy about an accidental couple trying to pick up the pieces of their respective love lives. Their chance encounter kicks off a lengthy date that’s full of surprises for both of them. Along the way, the movie maps the pitfalls of dating. Two well-picked leads, a light tone, and a decent plot progression make Man Up an unabashedly fun watch. The only catch is that it doesn’t have the standout quality of some of its competitors.
Man Up picks an interesting pair of characters to spend time with. Nancy strikes a balance between pretty, witty, and awkward without tipping to far in any one direction. Jack is fast-talking, impulsive, and a little petty, but ultimately a good fit for her. Their romance is forced in a few places in typical romcom style, but they have enough chemistry to carry the movie. The result is a quirky romp that’s sentimental in most of the right ways.
Man Up does have a few minor issues holding it back. As a romcom couple, Nancy and Jack are a solid hit but not a home run. Their flaws make them believable but take some of the sheen of storybook romance off their story. At the same time, neither one is cynical enough to go the bitter, sarcastic route. The movie also plays its hand in a weird way, leading to a plot that’s ultimately satisfying but mistimes some of its emotional beats.
Watch Man Up when you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and unabashedly optimistic about love. Man Up doesn’t have the brilliant script or raw magnetism of the best films in the genre, but as a quick dose of romantic comedy, it earns its keep. Sentimentalists looking for something on the quirky side will get just what they want out of it. Those hoping for something memorable, deep, or truly moving may want to pass.
For an expansive romantic comedy with an even more sentimental tone, try Love Actually. For a gentler romance about missed connections and finding love, try Four Weddings and a Funeral. For a farther-reaching look at the modern dating scene, try 500 Days of Summer. For a quirky romantic comedy with a dash of action, try Mr. Right.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for some fun comedy and a charming couple.