Quick Info
This one's a British romantic comedy from 2015 called "Man Up," starring Lake Bell and Simon Pegg. The premise is clever: Lake Bell's character, Nancy, accidentally finds herself on a blind date meant for someone else and, in a moment of whimsy, decides to go with it. The rest of the film follows the messy, funny, and sometimes awkward events of their night together in London. It's very much about those bizarre, serendipitous encounters that life throws your way.
What really stood out for me is the chemistry between Bell and Pegg. Lake Bell manages a surprisingly convincing British accent and brings a wry, relatable energy to Nancy, who feels grounded but not cliché. Simon Pegg, always charming and slightly neurotic, fits the role of Jack really well. Their banter feels natural and quick-witted, making the dialogue-driven scenes genuinely enjoyable.
On the flip side, the film doesn't take huge risks with its story structure. There are definitely some familiar rom-com beats—the misunderstandings, quirky best friends, and big, crowd-pleasing speeches. But it avoids feeling lazy or overwrought, probably because of the sharp script and the commitment from both leads. A couple of the side characters verge on cartoonish, but they don’t drag things down too much.
Cinematography-wise, London is more than just a colorful backdrop here. The city almost feels like a third lead, with lively locales and charming night settings that keep the energy up. The pacing is also pretty tight, clocking in at a breezy 88 minutes, so it never overstays its welcome or lets the story sag.
You'd enjoy this if you prefer your rom-coms with a dash of British wit, or if you've ever found yourself in an unexpected situation and just thought, “What the heck, why not?” It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s charming, honest, and funny enough to beat out most formulaic romantic comedies.
