That Awkward Moment

So what exactly is That Awkward Moment? It’s never made clear in this raunchy sex comedy that leaves many choices to pick from, both intentional and otherwise.

Indeed, there are plenty of awkward moments in the story of three shallow and superficial roommates who try to seduce women with bad-boy charm. And most of them seem to take place in a bathroom, or involve male genitalia, or some combination of the two.

Pointing that out doesn’t make you a prude. It just means that you can acknowledge storytelling that is lazy and predictable instead of hip and edgy, with uneven comic timing and little insight into contemporary relationships.

The film follows the misadventures of three former college classmates who share a Manhattan bachelor pad. Jason (Zac Efron) and Daniel (Miles Teller) work together as book-cover illustrators at a publishing house, while Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) is a medical intern at a nearby hospital distraught because his wife (Jessica Lucas) is leaving him.

As a gesture of solidarity, Jason and Daniel make a pact to share Mikey’s single life of bar hopping and one-night stands. But that’s before Jason meets an author (Imogen Poots) and Daniel develops feelings for a pianist (Mackenzie Davis). It’s not long before secrets between the trio lead to a sense of jealousy and betrayal that threatens to tear the friendship apart.

The three actors convey a genuine camaraderie, but they’ve all done better work elsewhere. Efron already is an established mainstream talent, while Teller (The Spectacular Now) and Jordan (Fruitvale Station) can consider this a minor speed bump as they attempt to transition from indie breakthrough roles to Hollywood regulars.

Even they can’t squeeze much sympathy from immature characters that are this self-absorbed and one-dimensional. But of course, their womanizing ways are instantly charming to the passive females in the misogynistic screenplay by rookie director Tom Gormican.

He’s hardly breaking any new ground here, with an emphasis on cramming in as many crude and sophomoric jokes at the expense of narrative logic. Sure, there are some broad scattered laughs, but a little of the film’s aggressively low-brow approach goes a long way.

Ultimately, the title of That Awkward Moment is about the only thing open for interpretation.

Rated R, 94 minutes.