Plot: What’s it about?
I checked my inbox prior to watching this review and I received 49 emails promoting the release of That Awkward Moment. This wasn’t for the Blu-ray, mind you, it was for the theatrical release a few months ago. I realize that email and social media are a new way to promote films, but it got so that every time I saw a new email promoting this film, my eyes rolled. So when the Blu-ray showed up at my door I wasn’t sure if I should stick it in my “to be reviewed” pile or just see what all the hype was about. Bear in mind the movie didn’t exactly light up the box office, then again I don’t think it was supposed to. All I really knew about the film was that it starred Michael B. Jordan, who I’d just seen in Fruitvale Station and Zac “I’m no longer in Disney movies” Efron. I’d never heard of Miles Teller, but looking at his IMDB resume, he’s doesn’t have a problem with employment. Ok *claps hands together*, a romantic comedy from the male point of view? Interesting…
Best buds Jason (Zac Efron), Daniel (Miles Teller) and Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) are inseparable. Mikey is an ER doctor who has “checked off the boxes” of his life with the perfect apartment, job and wife. But that all changes when he comes home early to find his wife, Vera (Jessica Lucas) in the arms of another man who may or may not be Morris Chestnut (it’ll make sense in the context of the film). So disgusted by this, Jason and Daniel swear off women and vow to continue their lavish lifestyle of going to bars and having anonymous sex with ultra-hot women. However Jason meets Ellie (Imogen Poots) and things start to take off. Likewise Daniel’s wing-woman, Chelsea (Mackenzie Davis) is starting to grow on him. Add to this that Mikey isn’t willing to let Vera go despite her infidelity. Are these guys just as bad as women or is something going on here?
The best way I can describe this movie is that it’s like an episode of Sex and the City but from a male perspective. The guys go out, all have jobs that they’re seemingly never at and walk around Manhattan with their perpetual Starbucks in hand. I can kind of relate to the subject matter because it is true – when you’re dating there are clearly different agendas from the male and female perspectives. However this kind of meandered into some odd territory a few times and though there were some funny scenes, I found that it was a bit tired and predictable. Then again, most romantic comedies are. We haven’t really heard from Zac Efron in a few years and I suppose he’s probably trying to shed those High School Musical movies that both made him a star, yet could hinder him for life if he let it. Michael B. Jordan has shown he’s got the goods and I was actually pretty impressed with Miles Teller – no wonder he keeps getting work. That Awkward Moment isn’t a bad movie, but it’s not one that I imagine watching again and again. It’s got some funny moments and a couple of good one-liners, but ultimately I think it fell short.
Video: How’s it look?
The wide 2.40:1 AVC HD transfer looks, for the most part, a good and solid effort. Set in New York, we get several shots of the guys walking along the street. Detail is impressive and let me just say that there are a few scenes in which we don’t really want or need the detail, but it’s there nonetheless. The general atmosphere seems to be a bit on the darker side though, like a lot of other films in the genre, there seems to be an equal amount of bright and cheery scenes as well. I couldn’t get over Zac Efron’s facial hair, it seems as if he’s trying to say “Hey, I’m an adult now!” or maybe it was just a character choice. A few of the interior shots contained some grain and I saw a bit of movement in the shadows on a few scenes, but apart from that this is a very good-looking transfer.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Romantic Comedies aren’t, never have been and most likely never will be audio powerhouses. This holds true with this film and despite one scene (a guy getting hit by a car), there’s not a lot going on in terms of audio action. Vocals are crisp and clear from the main actors, surrounds are used infrequently and I don’t think the LFE were really that involved. It’s a light and breezy mix with a few choice scenes from a bar for some added depth. There’s not a lot more to mention here, it serves its purpose and not a lot more.
Supplements: What are the extras?
DVD Extras
- Threesome: More Awkward Moments – Some selected scenes with the cast and crew, though nothing really of substance. Still, if you didn’t spring for the Blu-ray to get the exclusive, this is the next best thing.
- Meet the Characters – Pick a character and you’re treated to a montage of his/her scenes from the film. Mikey, Ellie, Jason and Daniel are featured.
Blu-ray Exclusives
- Moment of Truth: Behind the Scenes – The obligatory EPK and nothing we’ve not seen before, some interviews with the cast and some behind the scenes footage.
- Extended Gag Reel – As the name entails, just some goofs from the set.
