Man Up
Tags: comedy, humor

Plot synopsis:
Nancy is 34 years old and single. Her sister hopes that Nancy can find love and encourages her to "put herself out there." Nancy has a failed blind date at her friend's engagement party.
Later, Nancy's parents are celebrating their 40th anniversary, so Nancy takes the train to London. On the train, Nancy sits across from Jessica, a 24-year-old woman who is going on a blind date based on a self-help book called 6 Billion People and You. Nancy is rude to Jessica, so Jessica leaves her copy of the book with Nancy, bookmarking Chapter 7, "Your Negative Thoughts are Ruining Your Life (And Everyone Else's...)". When disembarking the train, Nancy pursues Jessica to return the book, but is stopped by Jack, Jessica's blind date. Nancy decides to take a chance and pretend that she is Jessica, and the pair have a very good time drinking and bowling, but Nancy's ruse is destroyed when they run into Nancy's creepy middle school acquaintance, Sean.
Nancy and Jack argue and return to the bar, where they run into Jack's soon-to-be-ex-wife with the man she is having an affair with. Nancy has to console Jack in the bathroom and helps him achieve closure.
Nancy wants to invite Jack to her parents' anniversary party -- but Jessica has left telephone messages for Jack and still wants to meet up, so he parts ways with Nancy. Nancy arrives at her parent's party, but is very sad and Jack also quickly realizes that letting her go was a mistake. He enlists the help of Sean and some teenagers to find Nancy's house and they decide to take a chance on each other.

Review: The greatest asset of this movie is its success of making you feel happy, energized and with a positive look at life.Has many awkwardly cringy/funny moments, time passes by in a heartbeat, though the screen time is fairly short too.
Unbelievable situations could often (at least in the movies) lead to great romances...like...it was meant to be...A man and a woman, desperate to meet their other halves (although with different approaches, one closed to herself, the other one just trying his luck "out there") end up having a (blind) date in current London, in a situation with mixed identities (sort of).Simon Pegg and Lake Bell have chemistry in the leading roles and give more than adequate performances.Overall: A romantic fairytale with quirky humor and an obvious, although impossible, ending!.
To me Richard Curtis is the king of British Rom-Coms, Love Actually is a great film and in fact more recently we had About Time which was an incredibly feel good film which i enjoyed a hell of a lot more than i expected.
Following that trend is directed by Ben Palmer who proves to be quite the competition to Curtis with a film the trailer makes us feel we've seen before, in fact i saw this simply because i happen to love Simon Pegg, but proves to be a surprisingly original film.Man Up follows Nancy played by Lake Bell who is a bit down on her luck when it comes to men to say the least.
When a chance encounter with a woman on a train results in her leaving her book for Nancy, which she was going to use for the certain man to find her results in Nancy accidentally going on a blind date with Jack (Simon Pegg) she immediately hits it off with him and we have the rest of our movie to unfold.
Sure the premise doesn't sound like the most interesting premise but it is handed to us so well that it proves to be a highly entertaining and hilarious journey into these people's lives and we learn a lot on the way with them.First off, Simon Pegg and Lake Bell both pull off very good performances.
nd don't watch the trailer, there is no needI wasn't expecting a typical American comedy, since I usually appreciate Simon Pegg's work.
Man Up. I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, but I can't deny the fact that I have enjoyed various films which (in my humble opinion) transcended that label in order to become good movies on their own merit.
And even though I wouldn't place Man Up at the same level of those films, it kept me very entertained due to its solid combination of humor and romance, besides of the perfect chemistry between Lake Bell and Simon Pegg, who really make us wish their characters to remain together, not because the formula says so, but because the incipient relationship between them feels organic and authentic.
Pegg is mostly known for his work in the "geek" genre, with the films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and the TV series Spaced; however, he had already worked in some romantic comedies, which had been mediocre (Run Fatboy Run, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People).
Nevertheless, it might not be a great movie, but I enjoyed Man Up pretty much, and I can recommend it to fans of romantic comedies, and also to the detractors of the genre (such as me), because it proves the possibility of creating a story inside the established parameters, but with enough narrative ability to overcome the expectations generally inspired by the films of this kind..
Simon Pegg might not be your conventional romantic comedy actor with the devilishly handsome looks but his humor and charisma shine through in this funny British film that takes place over the course of one day.
Simon Pegg shows leading romantic man chops we haven't seem previously but his comic timing and vulnerability works for a fundamentally flawed and struggling character.
The plot makes no sense especially the moment where Pegg's and Bell's characters breakup before the inescapable finale for seemingly no reason other than it was just that time in the movie where that was supposed to happen.
Simon Pegg is undoubtedly a funny guy and has made some good films along the way, but sadly this won't go down as being one of them.The premise is good and in Lake Bell he has a naturally gifted comedienne to support him, but somewhere in the films short running time it all falls flat.Improbable characters, annoying characters and people doing quite clearly irresponsible things.
Rom-coms are way down on my list of genres of films to watch usually .They are usually reserved for the wife to watch but strangely enough on the odd occasion i watch one i more often than not end up liking them and Man Up is no exception.
Jack is totally unaware of the switch and immediately takes Nancy, the wrong girl, out on the streets of London.Man Up is definitely among the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time.
Personally, I thought that the script was weak and unfunny but I enjoyed the dancing scene to the Reflex (Duran Duran).I recommend this movie to people who are into their romantic/comedy about man who meets the wrong girl on a blind date, that turns out to be the right girl.
The film may not quite manage to completely steer clear of some of the genre's pitfalls, but that's easy enough to forgive when Tess Morris' script is so smart and refreshing in digging into its characters and central relationships.We open on Nancy (Lake Bell), a jaded 34-year-old woman who's close to giving up on romance and spontaneity.
When she forms an instant connection with Jack (Simon Pegg), a 40-year-old divorcé who shares her love of cult movies and seems to really get her terrible jokes, Nancy makes the impulsive decision to skip out on her parents' fortieth anniversary party in favour of maintaining the farce and pretending to be Jessica.Anyone who's schooled in the conventions of the genre would be able to guess where it's all headed.
Anyone more familiar with Pegg's comedy antics may not think that he's up to the task of delivering big, romantic gestures and speeches, but he plays it all with such disarming sincerity here that he helps the slightly pat ending go down very smoothly indeed.Even the most mediocre of rom-coms can become something special when the chemistry between the leads is right.
When Bell and Pegg share a screen, you want to keep watching them hang out – the fizzy, sparkling chemistry between them is undeniable and all the more impressive for the many permutations their mercurial on-screen relationship undergoes during the course of the film.It's true that Man Up sags a little in its final stretch.
As the film dutifully ties up its loose ends, it loses a little steam, especially in giving too much weight to Sean (Rory Kinnear), an oddball supporting character who's nursed a creepy crush on Nancy since their school days.However, a touching if slightly shaky ending does not detract from Man Up's many virtues.
Some very strange things happen in Man Up, Ben Palmer's surprisingly likable romantic comedy, starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.
With its action condensed into a single afternoon and evening, Man Up expertly conveys the feel of one of those great first dates that just kept going, it's got an endearing and awkward Britishness that makes its characters relatable and in the shape of its gifted leads an on screen couple you'll genuinely root for.
I am not sure the movie is intended to make you laugh, to make you think, or to make you depressed if you are approaching your forties.So what we get is the story of an about-to-get-divorced man who is going on a blind date around London.
Man Up delivers laughs and just the right amount of nicely timed emotion to make for one of the best films of recent memory.The always witty Simon Pegg and breakthrough actress Lake Bell lead this charming romantic delight of a film.
Simon Pegg's undeniable charisma along with Bell's guarded sensitivity and fresh screen presence makes Man Up more than just a run of the mill rom-com.As much as this film is a romantic comedy, you could make the argument it's quite the adventure as well.
Not only is it a refreshing take on the genre, but it will likely be a film I pick up and view more than once.+Pegg and Bell's chemistry+Score/soundtrack+British sense of humor+Romantic adventure10/10.
'Man Up' is a British Romantic Comedy that stars Simon Pegg as Jack, a man going on a blind date with a mystery woman, and Lake Bell as Nancy who ends up unexpectedly going on that date, but unknown to Jack she is not the mystery woman he expected (Wow, just thinking about it, that could also be an interesting synopsis for some sort of mystery thriller...).
Very well acted, great romance, hilarious quirky humour, good writing, and just a charming enjoyable film, so if you enjoy rom-coms, this one i think you would also enjoy.
Man Up (2015) is a nice little comedy/romantic based film, great ideas in the movie, the typical relationship comedy; with a nice story line.
Now I certainly like the darker based films better than most but I do find myself enjoying "Man Up. The cast for what the movie is about fit quite nicely, and the actors done a great job on their parts.
It's a simple story - the old blind-date mix-up, where Jake (Pegg) meets Nancy (Bell), both disillusioned with relationships, but they happen to find each other and have a great night out, before it's revealed that she's not his intended blind date.Very fast-paced (only 85min long), with no time for dull moments, and plenty of laughs throughout to keep everyone happy.
The soundtrack is great and there's some fun/memorable scenes, including the teens running through the streets, the race to the bar and the fire extinguisher.What really makes the film work is Pegg's unflappable charm and his chemistry with Bell, who's the real star - endearing and unassuming, she's cute, but also witty and just enjoyable to watch.
Still this is not only funny and uplifting, it has two very charismatic and talented people at the front.This may not be enough for some comedies, but with a solid script like this one has, the movie did Man Up and deliver on its premise.
However, what I've seen with Man Up is that you can have a film with such a formulaic story (and believe me, this follows the rom-com instruction book so closely), but when it's injected with fun-loving performances, entertaining and light-hearted comedy and quick-paced, snappy dialogue, you can have a whale of a time.What I liked most about this film was the performances.
He's so much fun to watch, and it's a performance that feels a lot more like the classic, funny Simon Pegg that we know from the likes of Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End – this might be his best comedic performance outside of those films.However, Lake Bell really is the star of the show.
etc., but what Man Up did so brilliantly was make me not care at all about how predictable the plot was by making me have so much fun in the moment.Of course I could see what was coming, but every single scene in this film is both so well-acted and so well-written, with amazing fast- paced and witty dialogue that you don't really see in the genre too much, that I couldn't care less whether it had a generic ending or not – I was happy and having fun at every moment throughout.So, what I'm trying to say about this film is that, despite my hatred for the rom-com formula, it can work if you try.
So many rom- coms are just lazily-written and that's why they feel so predictable and unfunny, but if you get a film with such a brilliantly funny screenplay, and put two amazing performances that work so well together, you can make one of the most fun films ever, to the point where I genuinely didn't want this to end!.
The thing that worked in this movie was the interaction between Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.
Romantic comedy about Nancy (Lake Bell), who on the spur of the moment usurps a blind date with Jack (Simon Pegg), that strikes a good balance between sweetness and cynicism.
For example, Nancy and Jack bond over, among other things, love of the movie version of "The Silence of the Lambs," which would seem to be an unusual choice, but it sets-up a great plot callback late in the film that had me in stitches.Several of the characters, especially Nancy and her lecherous school stalker Sean (Rory Kinnear), are just this side of being too obnoxious to want to spend much time with.
Let's have some fun and look at the differences between American and British Rom- coms, consider the cinematic future of Simon Pegg and analyse the film, Man Up. Overall Rating: 3.25 stars Cinematic rating: 3.5 stars Bigger questions rating: 3 starsSummary: Nancy (Lake Bell) is travelling to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her parents.
Through a series of coincidences, Nancy ends up being mistaken for the other woman and ends up on the blind date with Jack (Simon Pegg).
While it's a romantic-comedy, it's also has some content that isn't necessarily that funny nor romantic.When the film begins, Nancy (Lake Bell) is dead set against yet another set-up by her friends.
"What kind of person stands underneath a clock waiting to steal someone's blind date?!" Nancy (Bell) is trying to find a good man but is starting to lose hope.
On the other hand though Simon Pegg and Lake Bell really help with the comedy and overall feel enough to make it seem fresh and interesting.
Nancy (Lake Bell) who feels unlucky in love and feeling life is passing her by ends up mistakenly going on a blind date with Jack (Simon Pegg) who is still affected from a recent divorce.Both strike up a good rapport sharing similar interests in music and movies despite Nancy being stalked all evening by a former school friend who she had a chance encounter with at a bar.
Man Up is a real feel-good film, with great performances from Simon Pegg and Lake Bell which really help you to connect with the characters and feel invested in the story.Plot-wise it's really nothing new, a simple girl meets boy situation with some hiccoughs on the way to an inevitable happy ending.
In the British comedy Man Up, Lake Bell (In a World) stars as Nancy, a woman who is sitting in hotel room and reluctant to join a party and socialise.
Throughout the chaotic evening of their date, they accidentally meet people from their past, including Nancy's stalker from school Sean (Rory Kinnear) and on Jack's side, his ex-wife (Olivia Williams) from whom and her new partner.Man Up is rather surprisingly a hilarious and economical comedy about a chance encounter and the hidden agendas people forge when in relationships.
And, given that the number of people (aside from myself) who can claim to like all four of these groups/performers must be close to zero, and given that all are nevertheless worked seamlessly and ingeniously into the content of the film, we can see the makers' triumphantly successful interest in reconciling different tastes and overcoming apparent divisions and difficulties that actually represents a hallmark of their film (just as they were hallmarks of "About a Boy", "Love Actually" and many others).Repeatedly, and with increasing intensity as the 86 minutes pass, we are shown how young and old might work together, and how people who ought to be resentful of each other can find some synergistic magic to allow all to come out ahead.This is then the pleasant and surprisingly powerful watching that accompanies a simple enough story of deliberately concealed blind-date identity featuring Simon Pegg as Jack and the intriguing-looking Lake Bell as not-Jessica-but-Nancy.
In fact she is so wanting to help Alice she gives her the book she is carrying.The problem is the younger woman was traveling to meet a blind date, played by 40-something Simon Pegg as Jack.
And in the end Jack and Nancy find that this fraudulent chance meeting might just be the best things that could have happened to each of them.My wife didn't want to watch this with me, she doesn't particularly care for typical British comedies..
Spoiler alert - I have watched this movie a couple of time and found it pleasant to watch, namely as I have had a crush on Lake Bell for ages , but she did a English accent so convincing, which few Americans can really pull off.Its a nice comedy with hints of romance, however it is a little off real life, no one can drink as much as they do on this film and not be lying in a cutter somewhere with last nights kebab plastered to their face, they drink loads with out the effects I get, plus at the end he gets to sleep with Nancey, after one date, thats never happened to me anyway.Plus points: Lake Bell, lake Bell, Lake bell Rory Kinners loathsome character, who was funny, oh and Lake Bell.
She passes herself off as Jessica (Ophelia Lovibond) as she has a great time with Jack (Simon Pegg) who has his own emotional issues.The film is a romantic comedy.
Not knowing any better Nancy just happens to be holding this book at a certain place in the train station which a stranger named "Jack" (Simon Pegg) mistakes for a sign that she is Jessica--his blind date.