What can be said about “That Awkward Moment”? Well Tom Gormican directs it, and it stars Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Miles Teller. The movie is filled with Raunchy Jokes, Awkward moments that if you don’t laugh then you will feel awkward watching them, and a predictable plot.
The story follows Efron as he sets up the “How did I get here” story-telling method, as we flash back to Jordan’s character getting a divorce so both Efron and Teller’s characters vow to remain single along with him. The rest of the story is predictable from that point on. The film follows their friendship well enough and some of the romantic scenes could be enjoyed but the rest of the film is filled with frat boy humor, sexual humor, and miscommunication jokes. The story is simplistic and real easy to follow. What makes any of the humor work is how the guys all talk to each other. They sound like realist best friends.
Zac Efron does an ok job playing that jerk that sleeps with women for fun and is a scum of the earth type character. He plays the role well enough but when he is cursing someone out it is not that believable. I think that he tried too hard to remain the jerk that doesn’t care at all even when he is supposed to be angry at them. He is an ok frat boy, womanizer character. His tender moments are pretty well done as well.
Michael B. Jordan is decent for the dumped husband and the nice guy. He does the role well enough but I feel like his character was not that well explored. He is dumped; he wants her back, and so on. So the most that is brought out for enjoyment for his character are the conversations and humor with the other two actors. Miles Teller is the third member of the trio and he is the guy who is the most desperate and needs the most help when trying to score with the ladies. He soon falls for his best lady friend, played by Mackenzie Davis, who helps him get laid. The two have some funny dialog but they are the most forgettable characters in the movie. Their plot is predictable.
The story element that is explored the most is the romance between Efron and his romantic interest, played by Imogen Poots. They do have chemistry on screen but their story is the classic romantic comedy story that has been used and reused all the time. It is predictable and simple. They played it safe with their romance but I wish that they had cut back some of their scenes to make the other guys’ story arcs more interesting or more memorable.
The comedy is puns, sexual jokes, and situational humor. Some of the jokes are actually funny but if you are easily offended then you will be insulted. The humor is not for everyone and some of the jokes are just down right lazy and boring. Some of the awkward moments were hard too watch and others were funny. The editing and cinematography help the movie but nothing too interesting or artistic. Overall if you love watching raunchy humor, or just watching dirty comedies then you might like this film. But if you are looking for a good romantic movie then I would recommend going somewhere else. The movie can be fun and even funny and entertaining if you are into those kinds of movies. If you are not offended or disturbed by raunchy humor then go ahead and see “That Awkward Moment”.
