Ben Palmer’s British romantic comedy, Man Up, which opens in Canada on November 20, hangs on the flimsiest of thematic threads, but holds up quite nicely.
The plot, though old as the hills, remains endearing. In a case of mistaken identity, two love-starved and lonely people meet in a busy railway station and sparks fly.
The protagonists, Nancy (Lake Bell), 34, and Jack (Simon Pegg), 40, have been burned by previous relationships and are ready for something new. Jack, freshly divorced, spots Nancy and mistakes her for Jessica, a woman Nancy met that day while on the London-bound train.
The mix-up occurs when Jack “recognizes” the book Nancy is holding. Nancy quickly realizes the mistake but Jack is clueless. Assuming she has nothing to lose, she plays along with the charade.
It’s a time-worn dramatic device, but it works.
Jack, an amiable online marketing manager, treats Nancy to drinks at a pub and takes her bowling. They get along swimmingly until Nancy’s old boyfriend shows up and threatens to unmask her. This part of the film is rather silly, but it doesn’t really slow down the proceedings.
By chance, Jack and Nancy run into his ex-wife and her boyfriend. This relatively brief segment is belabored, but it adds another twist to the movie.
Eventually, Nancy reveals her real identity. By that point, Jack — normally a stickler for the truth — is beyond caring. He’s got a crush on Nancy and hopes she feel the same way about him.
Bell and Pegg turn in credible performances in this feel-good picture, and Palmer keeps it flowing.