Alex’s Review: That Awkward Moment (2014)

The guy that just wrote an article about liking love stories and relationship-y movies got a chance to go see the latest romantic comedy aimed at twentysomething guys (and, really, people who love Zac Efron, not that those two groups are mutually exclusive, but they probably are). The film stars Zac Efron (of High School Musical fame), Miles Teller (of The Spectacular Now fame), and Michael B. Jordan (of Fruitvale Station and Friday Night Lights TV Series fame) as three twentysomethings who swear off relationships to reclaim their friendship and bachelorhood. Because, you know, you can’t have friends when you’ve got a girlfriend. Predictably, their pledge to one another falls apart when the two of the three men who generally keep a “roster” of women end up falling in love and hijinks ensue.

For a directorial debut from Tom Gormican, it’s fairly solid. Not particularly flashy by means of cinematography or editing, but that’s not necessarily what you come to a rom-com for. I think there are spots in the movie that could’ve been edited a bit more clearly, precisely when the movie starts to juggle three simultaneous story lines late in the second act, but it falls into place and things ultimately make sense even if you get a little jumbled in the process. I think my main buy in to the film is the three leads. I think the charm of Efron, Teller, and Jordan, as well as their camaraderie tend to fill out and carry the movie through sloppy editing and slightly unlikeable characters.

I think that was my main drag. I’m not the kind of guy who keeps a “roster” of women to spend the night with, and maybe if I was, this movie would’ve been a bit more impactful. On the other hand, if I was one of those kinds of guys, I probably wouldn’t be going to see rom-coms, and I most certainly wouldn’t be looking for life advice from them. While not every movie is meant to change your life, I personally would want the film to at least land emotionally for me, and I felt that it failed to do so. But if you prefer your chick-flick with a bit more raunch, you can do worse than That Awkward Moment.

But I’ll admit, it’s a little fun continuing to watch Zac Efron attempt to shake that squeaky-clean Disney image, and I think he wears the crass-douche hat well in this film. Miles Teller is back to what I think is his usual fare (as seen in 21 & Over and Project X) which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I think the heart he wears in The Spectacular Now suits him a bit better, and I hope he doesn’t lose sight of that. It was also interesting seeing Michael B. Jordan as the successful doctor-type which is a bit far from what I’ve mainly seen him in (as Vince from Friday Night Lights), but I wouldn’t be surprised if people are disappointed in his follow-up to Fruitvale Station. I think that’s more of a function of the material than it is the actor himself, though. I wasn’t particularly blown away by Imogen Poots but I won’t write her off yet. Mackenzie Davis and Jessica Lucas aren’t given a ton to work with, but I enjoyed them when they were on screen.

All in all, my interest is piqued in Tom Gormican. I can’t recommend that anyone run out to see this movie unless they’re a big fan of at least one of the three leads and they’re in the mood for a slightly more raunchy chick-flick centered around the guys in the story. If you do end up going, stick around in the credits because they show some bloopers. I love it when they do that! The bottom line: if you’re that douchey yet kind of charming guy who happens to have a rolodex of women at his disposal and you can somehow get over the fact that Zac Efron is prettier than you, then you might be a big fan of this movie.

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