Man Up

A romantic comedy for the modern age with a decidedly British sensibility, Man Up stars Lake Bell as Nancy, a thirtysomething writer and singleton living in London who has given up on dating. Simon Pegg costars as disappointed divorcé Jack, who is trying out Internet dating for the first time. At a train station, Jack mistakes Nancy for “Jessica”—his 24-year-old blind date—and Nancy goes with the flow, until the truth inevitably comes out and their terrific chemistry devolves into arguments and recriminations. Such is the bumpy road to true love, or at the very least second chances. For all of the rom-com conventions here (starting with that mistaken-identity/meet-cute premise), director Ben Palmer's Man Up exudes a low-key charm and offers an adult take on expectations, disappointments, and missed opportunities along the way to a happy ending. Pegg dials down the geekiness and slacker comedy of his usual roles to portray a man genuinely hurt by his failed marriage but putting on a good face. And Bell, who is superb at comic awkwardness and self-effacing humor, adopts a convincing British accent and exhibits a touching vulnerability. A sweet and satisfying film that sports an easygoing humor, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)