Man Up: Splendidly Screwball Romance

To me, witty banter is the hallmark of a good romantic comedy. The verbal give-and-take between the lead actors is what causes the crackling chemistry that makes you want them to overcome all obstacles, fall in love, and live happily ever after. This is why I love the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s. And this is why I found myself so charmed by Man Up, a wonderfully sweet British romcom that features plenty of verbal sparring and sparks.

Lake Bell (with a formidable British accent) plays Nancy, a 34-year old woman who hasn't been in a relationship for a while and is bitter and lonely. She runs into Jack (a dashingly sweet Simon Pegg), a 40-year old man who is trying to get over his recent divorce and thinks that Nancy is the blind date his friend arranged for him. In true madcap romcom fashion, Nancy allows that misunderstanding to continue, and the two of them embark on a lovely date wandering across London. As they head into bars and stroll along, they discover more about each other, and despite the mistaken identity, there's no mistaking the instant connection between the two of them.

Both Bell and Pegg are wonderful comic actors and there is an ease to their rapport as they let their conversations spiral into all sorts of delirious tangents that are hysterical and heartwarming. The supporting cast is stuffed with some great British actors that keep things entertaining and delightful till the very end. Of course, Nancy cannot keep up the charade indefinitely, but the movie only gets maudlin for a brief moment before launching into full-scale, over-the-top, grand romantic gestures in a fashion that is reminiscent of Love Actually and other great British romantic comedies that believe in going big or going home.

Written by Tess Morris and directed by Ben Palmer, Man Up came and went fairly quickly in theatres. But now is the perfect time to discover it and add it to your collection of truly witty and wonderful comedies. Featuring two actors at the top of their game and a delightfully zippy plot (the entire movie takes place in one day, which is always one of my favorite storytelling devices), this movie serves as a reminder that the art of the romantic comedy is alive and well.