Going into “That Awkward Moment,” the viewer most likely expects to see the progression of three single man-children falling in love with various one-night stands and becoming mature adults, just as the preview suggests.
This is exactly what the viewer will receive, and unfortunately, that’s all.
In an extremely predictable plot, three friends, played by Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Miles Teller, encounter love for the first time after they had promised to remain single for each other, or, for the “brotherhood.” Efron plays the main character, Jason, while his two best friends, Mikey (Jordan) and Daniel (Teller), tag along for the ride, while finding love of their own.
The three twenty-something men living it up in Manhattan, constantly looking for a new temporary sex-partner for their next alcohol-filled night, make this movie one of the most typical films of the past few years.
Having always been a sucker for heart-throb Zac Efron, I went into the movie with high hopes, excited to see his transformation from High School Musical teen sensation to a gruff, risqué man.
However, his character lacked substance. As expected, the film concluded with another infamous Efron speech regarding the first time he met his half-girlfriend Ellie (played by British actress Imogen Poots) in a bar, professing his undying love.
I was instantly reminded of Efron’s monologue in “17 Again.” Nothing new.
It was lucky that the producers thought to include Zac Efron, however, because otherwise, any motive to see the movie would be lost.
The movie, rated R, surprisingly lacked an excessive amount of sex, although it does include a few rather raunchy scenes of Efron, Teller, Jordan and their various partners for the night.
Unfortunately, movies like these only enhance this new stereotype. Apparently, it’s “hip” to ditch girls and have a one-night stand every other Saturday night. Where has the romance gone?
What rom-com audiences really crave are films like “The Notebook,” or “A Walk to Remember.” True, they may be cheesy, but are at least exceedingly more heartfelt and meaningful than movies like this one.
Despite the many corny moments, there were a few scenes that I allowed myself to chuckle at. For example, Ellie invited Jason to a “dress-up” party, which he mistook for an actual costume party. He ended up at her house with an outfit too obscene to describe, and conveniently, her parents were there. Truly, an awkward moment.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend “That Awkward Moment” to someone actually looking for a movie with substance, or moreover, an actual plot.
