Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Please don't spend money on this.

Better Late Then Never

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

I paid money for this one because the critics were bandying about words like "clever, refreshing and exceedingly charming" and "frequently laugh-out-loud funny." I love Simon Pegg and, until now, have never been disappointed in him. The actress was quite talented and if facial gymnastics alone could make a movie, she would have made this one.The problem was the script. Clichéd. Forced. Tedious. And above all, NOT FUNNY. To me, this one was cringe-worthy, not a chuckle-fest. My husband agreed so we bailed early.If it got better later on, it still wasn't worth sitting through until then.

I've liked Simon Pegg in every movie where I've seen him, and I liked Lake Bell in the one movie where I previously saw her ("In a World..."). So it makes sense that the movie in which they co-star is worth seeing. Ben Palmer's "Man Up" focuses on a relationship that develops after a mistaken blind date. Although billed as a romantic comedy, the movie emphasizes the comedy. Bell perfectly does an English accent; watching the movie, no one would know that she's from the US. I wouldn't call the movie a masterpiece, but it's an enjoyable way to spend the time. I hope that Palmer keeps making movies, and I hope that Pegg and Bell keep starring in movies.

I'm not a rom-com lover by any stretch of the imagination whatsoever. But browsing through prime, I saw Simon Pegg and Lake Bell appear on a cover. So decided to give it a go as Pegg, is usually quite amusing in most things... So I took the decision, 90 minutes I'll never get back or 90 minutes that made me smile - Most definitely the latter. From the beginning I had a feeling it would be not too dissimilar to 500 Days Of Summer, just happier. I couldn't have been more wrong. Smiling and glued to the screen from the get go as everyone can relate to each of the characters in some way. It's exactly as you would expect a rom-com, BBC funded film to be; witty, charming, short, very British, cringeworthy, typically British, with an excellent soundtrack from the beginning - music perfectly fitting everywhere. Some other very good up-and-coming British actors making short appearances here and there, following on from TV performances etc. Definitely made me smile like a fool in love for the last 15 minutes. Will be my future pep talk film as to why I'm so unlucky in love.

It's always refreshing to watch a brilliantly crafted and well- balanced romantic comedy that hits all the right chords while beating the tired clichés that swarm the genre. 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. Pegg plays a 40's divorcée who hides his real feelings about his love life under a fast-talking and romantic personality on the outside. Bell, also with a troubled romantic history, is an unconfident and quirky 34- year-old who happens to find herself on a blind date with the former. As you can expect, the truth is eventually unveiled.My favorite part about this film is its ability to turn several rom- com clichés on their head. For every cliché, there's just as many unconventional turns the story takes, which I can appreciate. 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. As the two of them explore their first *unplanned* night out together, they meet a variety of unique characters who push their short relationship in exciting directions. Certainly at times a particular character named Sean spins the film into a slightly goofier realm, but Bell and Pegg manage to bring it back to a more acceptable area.The awkward charm is definitely the film's biggest appeal. And I'm always game for a twist on the typical rom-com tale. I'm mad it took me so long to check this film out, but I'm grateful I finally did. 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