It seems that every child star, especially if they come from
the Disney studio, feels the need to prove that they've grown up, that they're
now adults, by either shedding clothing or hurling foul mouth invectives in the
movies they make once they exit their teen years. If that were all it took to
be an adult then pre-teens across the globe would be considered adults. Alas it
seems we are destined to revisit this trend over and over again, this week
presenting itself in the movie THAT AWKWARD MOMENT.
The story revolves around three friends several years after
their college days. Jason (Zach Efron) is the more womanizing of the three,
moving from casual relationship to casual relationship with ease. Daniel (Miles
Teller) is his right hand man, another carefree male on the prowl aided by his
female friend Chelsea (Mackenzie Davis). Lastly is Mikey (Michael B. Jordan),
the only married one of the group who opens the film being told by his wife
that she wants a divorce. Adding insult to injury the man she's been having an
affair with is her lawyer.
In a show of camaraderie the three young men pledge to
remain single together. To celebrate their oath they head out to the usual
watering hole with the intent of hooking up for a night of casual sex. Mikey
goes along but still reeling from his news takes things slow. Daniel, with an
assist from Chelsea, finds someone for the night. And Jason winds up with a
lovely young lady named Ellie (Imogene Poots) and finds himself having a better
night than expected but due to a misreading of clues thinks Ellie is a hooker.
Things get a bit more complicated the next morning when
Jason and Daniel (co-workers for the art department at a publishing company)
find that Ellie is the new representative for one of the book companies they
deal with. Realizing his mistake, Jason apologizes and tries to make it up to
Ellie. So much so that he soon finds himself falling in love with her in spite
of the promise he made to his friend.
But he's not alone. Daniel suddenly discovers that Chelsea
just may be the perfect match for him as well. Their budding romance moves
forward with the exception that he doesn't share it with his two friends. But
neither does Mikey when he starts to get back together with his ex. All three
seem to have found the perfect match at the exact wrong time.
Of course in the world of movies this means that one or all
three will eventually screw up the relationship and whether or not they
straighten things out and end up together isn't revealed until the last few
minutes of the film. Is it a happy ending? Watch to find out.
The movie uses a tried and true cut out technique in the way
it's written, a pattern that feels familiar to anyone who's seen a movie in the
last 30 years. All the beats are there with very little new added with the
exception of an overuse of the F bomb and a few uncomfortable sexual escapades
that are discovered by various friends and family. I kept thinking this felt
like just about every other movie about young couples in today's world and in
the end that was kind of sad, not because it had been done before but because
it made me wonder if this was what being single was all about in today's world.
If so then it's a truly sad world out there with no hope for romance, connecting
with someone or a sense of what is right or wrong.
The acting by all casts members was actually pretty good
here, much better than I expected. Standing out among them for me was Davis as
Chelsea. Her approach to so many scenes is lighter than some of the rest and
makes it more believable. While one would think this film is centered around
Efron, which it is to some extent, it actually gives all the leads plenty of
shared screen time which makes the story just a little more believable.
Fans of Efron will certainly want to see this film,
especially those who can't wait to get a glimpse of his bare behind (lots of
press releases shared this photo). But the movie will also have the effect of
boosting the careers of all involved. In the long run the film is forgettable
at least and yet still a bit entertaining in the end. Will it hold up to
repeated viewings? Doubtful. But it will offer a nice entertainment for adults.
Click here to order.
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