That Awkward Moment: Movie Review

That Awkward Moment is awkwardly funny, but extremely entertaining. While there may be some pacing, dialogue and continuity issues, the characters and story connect in all the right places.

That Awkward Moment focuses on three best friends, Jason (Zac Efron), Daniel (Miles Teller), and Mikey (Michael B. Jordan), who declare to stay single together. Life has a funny way of ruining declarations as the three find themselves falling in love. 

The story starts at the end, then goes back a few months to show the audience how our characters arrived at that point, but does it a bit sloppy. The first and third acts feel off pace, while the middle of the film is where the magic happens. There's notice that director Tom Gormican is having trouble finding bridges between each scene. Between each major scene is either a sex scenes or characters moping around in different New York City coffee shop locations. It's only sometimes when characters develop during these bridging scenes. Luckily, it doesn't throw you out of the movie. It just makes you feel awkward enough to squirm around in your seat. But, by the time the awkwardness comes you shrug it off, because you find yourself so enticed by these complex, likable characters. These characters, this director, and the hipster indie feel of this film go together perfectly. Scenes are set in hole-in-the-wall coffee shops and bars, or lofts decorated with indie art. Each set starts to blend together, but you ignore it in favor of the characters and what they bring to the table.

The acting certainly impresses for a romantic comedy. Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan keep proving that their great performers in any genre. Zac Efron's acting improvement is certainly noticeable. Gormican deserves a nod for creating an unorthodox cast and making it work. Sometimes the cast is awkward in a sense that their dialogue doesn't fit for their character or certain scenes are left in for laughs rather than plot or character development. A little scene regarding self tanning lotion and a penis is funny, but unnecessary. Regardless, the film finds the perfect mix of comedy and romance that can make you laugh out loud and smack your knee or tear up and cry.

The story focuses on problems with old relationships, new relationships and single life. It might be flawed, but you can't look away from this stellar cast and heartfelt story. All the awkward pacing and awkward characters make That Awkward Moment and outrageously good time for anyone.

B-

Good Qualities: Great cast, the story connects with people, a perfect mix of funny and touching.

Bad Qualities: Pacing is usually off, sometimes the dialogue becomes awkward and doesn't fit.

You can follow this blog by clicking the Google Subscribe Button or by liking us on Facebook at Critic & The Fan.