MovieChat Forums > Man Up (2015) Discussion > Funny film but made me feel a bit queasy...

Funny film but made me feel a bit queasy afterwards

posted 9 years ago by frendtony
22 replies | jump to latest

My wife and I went to see this film last night and generally enjoyed it.

Some of the scenes and dialog were genuinely very funny. I thought that performance of Lake Bell was great and Simon Peg was less annoying than usual (but I did not see the appeal to Nancy - but then I am a man).

I felt that Rory Kinnear came across as a bit desperate (the actor rather than the character Sean) - is this a career enhancing role for an acclaimed RSC star actor? I think not.

It is fair to say that my wife and I are of a more mature age and had the following reservations about the message that this film 'promotes'.

(I know it is only a film but films can influence the attitudes of the day - one can always argue whether films reflect reality or vice versa but that is a different discussion).

I thought that the film reinforced the following cultural attitudes:

*** Comments below may contain spoilers ***

1. It is fine to go off on blind dates with people who you know nothing about. You will be safe and this is a great way to find someone with similar values to you.

2. You can drink numerous beers and shots and mojitos with a complete stranger and still remain safe and apparently quite sober.

3. It is so 'romantic' to go to bed with someone within 12 hours of meeting them for the first time (as is strongly implied by the last scene of the film) and that this approach is a great way to begin a 'serious' relationship with someone you 'really care about'.

What do people think?

[–] agill7 9 years ago

Agree with all points.

Full on groping in front of parents then rushing off to the toilet 'cos they really needed a 'pee'?.. Please! Maybe Simon (and Lake) should have had a word with the director whilst filming the scene and told him that 99% of Brits would not do this?!

[–] moisan4 9 years ago

The characters of Romeo and Juliet were more level headed and reasonable than these two middle aged people. Seriously, one blind date and you've found the love of your life. This would work as a premise if it was a coming of age story and the characters were twenty years younger. If I wanted to watch a fantasy film it would star Hobbits and dragons and not a ridiculous rom-com that says less about relationships than your average porn. It's as realistic as a movie with fast and furious in the title, to each their own, but I think rom-coms work a lot better if they're grounded in some semblance of reality and rational behaviour.

[–] TigerWarg 8 years ago

Seriously, one blind date and you've found the love of your life.

why not? 33 years ago a work colleague set me up on a date with her younger sister. we married within a couple of months and still going strong. yep, works for me.

[–] moisan4 9 years ago

I am a firm believer that art doesn't imitate life, but rather, life is influenced by art.

Especially in an age where social interactions are becoming less frequent and intimate relationships with family and friends became rarities. The era of social media, impersonal technology, and limitless entertainment have created a culture of isolation. Today, art, media, and entertainment influence people more than ever before.

[–] paul_cowsill 9 years ago

3. Is more common than you might think.

I'm sorry the Coen brothers don't direct the porn I watch. They're hard to get ahold of, okay?

[–] njumeil 9 years ago

How did you even get a wife?!

[–] dmcdknf 8 years ago

LOL

[–] everythingangels 9 years ago

I think it takes all kinds.

I was raised in a very conservative household and that's cool. My family is good people and I'm proud of that. But some people are much more liberal and I, personally, think that's cool too.

Anyone that actually cares enough to develop a reasonable moral code and live by it is alright by me... even if I don't personally believe all the things they do.

And things like people having sex? As long as it's consensual... why should ANYONE care? Maybe it IS a mortal sin and they'll burn for eternity. But is that really YOUR place to condemn them to the fiery pits?

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] everythingangels 9 years ago

Will completely agree that I was disappointed in the ending as well... but I wasn't too disappointed because, really, I wouldn't expect anything else from a movie in that genre.

[–] Painbow 9 years ago

1. It is fine to go off on blind dates with people who you know nothing about. You will be safe and this is a great way to find someone with similar values to you.

Perfectly normal to go on blind dates... in the 90's. Today, it would be virtually impossible. Pegg's character and Jessica both use Facebook so it stands to reason that they could easily find out what each other looks like. That was one thing I found entirely unrealistic. That being said, they were set up by mutual friends so why would they worry. Most blind dates are set up in a similar way. I've been on Internet dates where we haven't seen each other. The world isn't filled with axe murderers.

2. You can drink numerous beers and shots and mojitos with a complete stranger and still remain safe and apparently quite sober.

I think you worry too much. The world isn't as bad as you seem to think.

3. It is so 'romantic' to go to bed with someone within 12 hours of meeting them for the first time (as is strongly implied by the last scene of the film) and that this approach is a great way to begin a 'serious' relationship with someone you 'really care about'.

Absolutely. If there's amazing sexual chemistry then fill yer boots. This isn't the 50's. Enjoy yourself.

The only questionable part was dragging each other off to the toilet for sex while everyone watches. Firstly, this is just tacky. Secondly... I'm sure there are bedrooms upstairs for goodness sake.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (29543476) 9 years ago

I think you're both onto something.
Some people get raped and/or killed on number 1 and 2 occassions,
some people find love of their life.
It's a trade of. -.-

[–] condemned02 9 years ago

I go on blind dates all the time. I am not on facebook, google plus or any social media. Can't be found online.

I think the premise of this movie is believable to me.

I met my x-bf in a very similar manner. Not stealing his blind date, but definitely blind date, and sex within 12 hours, and have a wonderful 2 years living together with him, before I refuse to relocate with him due to our differences on which country we prefer to live in.

Because for me, I always know instantly. I believe in chemistry and intuition. Falling inlove isn't practical, but something as whimsical and magical as the way this movie portrayed it.

I really like how this movie accurately portray what it's like to meet someone who gets you and you just mesh with in a blind situation with a stranger. The date with the original 24 yr old is really a good contrast to, how it's like when it's awkward and no chemistry.

---
I want my freedom FROM religion!

[–] scrumpypete 9 years ago

Quote - "I felt that Rory Kinnear came across as a bit desperate (the actor rather than the character Sean) - is this a career enhancing role for an acclaimed RSC star actor? I think not"

What do you know about him? Perhaps he loves doing comedy, but he has to 'do' Shakespeare to pay the rent.

[–] beallrebecca 8 years ago

I recently caught this movie on netflix because I like Simon Pegg(and Nick Frost)and I watched Penny Dreadful because I have a movie star crush on Timothy Dalton and ironically enough Rory Kinnear was what I liked best about both.Having seen him play the monster on Penny Dreadful it took me a moment to recognize him.He has range.Go Rory

[–] empathy44 8 years ago

beallrebecca I had about 15 minutes of seeing Caliban superimposed behind Rory Kinnears character. I liked how joyful he was. Meant to be creepy, but then he sort of seemed happy in his life.

For every complex question there is a simple answer. And it's wrong. ~ H. L. Mencken