In the movie “Long Shot”, Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) falls in love with unemployed journalist Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen). The aptly-titled film hits its mark, a satisfying comedy that playfully questions gender roles and references the dissection of women in politics. Throughout the film, analysts skewer Charlotte’s lack of humor, obsess over her romantic prospects, even dissect her wave — all while ignoring her impressive policy record. It’s an unusually critical skeleton for a movie hung with Rogen’s trademark stoner comedy.

The movie hits its rom-com beats and the actors find ample opportunity to breathe. Neither Charlotte nor Fred is overly serious and they share the screen comfortably, connecting for dynamic moments. Their chemistry overwhelms their odd-couple dissonance, though a generational femme fatale snogging Rogen is admittedly jarring. That it works is a credit to Theron, who maintains Charlotte’s self-assured swagger while balancing Fred’s comedic absurdism.

The film’s meet-cute is sufficiently adorable. Fred attends a ritzy fundraiser as the plus-one of his upper-class buddy Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.). With a Boys II Men performance as the backdrop, Fred and Charlotte make prolonged eye contact. Charlotte is not only the Secretary of State, but also Fred’s long-lost high school babysitter. There’s a mutual recognition, and soon they’re rubbing shoulders, reminiscing on Charlotte’s candidacy for senior class president.

The scene frames both characters’ principles. Fred is married to the truth by his journalistic career. Charlotte, on the other hand, wants power, but for the right reasons. We learn these traits through a touching flashback to Fred’s childhood.

The scene establishes a consistent tenor for the movie: one part sentimental, all parts unapologetic. “Long Shot” takes glee in its stupidity and has loads of fun doing so. Charlotte immediately hires the completely unqualified Fred to be her speech writer. Whether she’s negotiating a climate accord in Sweden or escaping missile fire in the Philippines, the plot refuses to take itself seriously.

This allows Fred and Charlotte’s relationship to take center stage, suspending the audience’s disbelief as the couple jokes and reminisces their way around the world. The culminating scene is set to Frank Ocean’s cover of Moon River. It’s wonderfully over the top.

What sets “Long Shot” apart is its willingness to take risks. The movie opens inside a white supremacist’s stronghold and throughout its two hour runtime, real world figures are parodied and ruthlessly mocked. The film is dedicated to punching upwards. The most satisfying take down targets Roger Ailes by proxy of stand in Parker Wembley (Andy Serkis). The cartoonishly evil media mogul looks like a blobfish and Serkis plays the role with a pervy, Golem-esque flair. Bob Odenkirk also co-stars, thriving in the meta role of a TV-star turned president. Odenkirk, himself an actor of AMC fame, mocks Trump brutally. At one point, his TV persona declares: “What are you crazy? I will not nuke that tsunami!”

What “Long Shot” ignores is the harsh reality facing women in politics. For all of its successes, the film perpetuates the myth that ambitious women are out of touch with reality. Before Fred, Charlotte is overscheduled and worn thin. An act later, she is tripping on molly, raving at a Parisian night club, and negotiating hostage releases while still high.

The film insinuates that reserved Charlotte is out of touch with her humanity, and when her top aide, cutthroat careerist Maggie (June Diane Raphael) tries to mitigate Fred’s influence, she is framed as a close-minded antagonist. Charlotte’s male aide, Tom (Ravi Patel), is cavalier by comparison and a passive admirer of Flarsky’s effect.

Though the movie ultimately gives Charlotte her due, it denies her a methodical personality. That’s the price we demand of female candidates, even in Seth Rogen films. “Long Shot” is a ride-along with the stupid joke police — prepare for lots of ejaculation and a reference to peeing on dogs — but for most fans it’ll be a unique and satisfying experience. There are laughs, heartfelt moments and serendipity abound. As added bonus, you get to hear Seth Rogen’s laugh.

Rhett Hoskinson is a Communication junior. He can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.