NEW YORK –  In “Long Shot,” a major motion picture scheduled to be released internationally during the first week of May, Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” will play a major role in the soundtrack. Not since “Pretty Woman” in 1990 has a Roxette song been featured as prominently as it is in this movie. In fact, the melody can be heard not just once, but three times!

Directed by Jonathan Levine, the story centers around Fred Flarsky (played by Seth Rogen), a principled yet free-spirited journalist who tends to be bull-headed and frequently gets into trouble. Charlotte Field (played by Charlize Theron), as the U.S. Secretary of State, is one of the most influential women in the world. When Fred unexpectedly runs into Charlotte, he soon realizes that she was his former baby sitter and childhood crush. When Charlotte decides to make a run for the presidency, she impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter – much to the dismay of her advisers.

As Fred and Charlotte play a get-to-know-each-other game, he asks her what her favorite song is.  “It Must Have Been Love by Roxette,” is her reply. Later in the film, the actual “Pretty Woman” soundtrack album is shown in her hands as they listen to the song together.

With overwhelmingly positive reviews, the movie is expected to be a big hit. “Long Shot is a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy that will have audiences howling in shock and awwww,” said Kristy Puchko in The Guardian while Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com said it’s “A rom-com with a political edge that will be one of this year’s most beloved crowdpleasers.”   At the advance screening that TDR was invited to today, the audience reacted strongly to the “did-they-really-go-there?” type of humor that’s in the screenplay. According to a spokesperson from Lionsgate, the film’s distributor, “word-of-mouth will help this film greatly, as it’s the kind of film you can’t quite believe you just saw – and people will want to talk about it!”

The movie has plenty of other connections and references to Sweden. Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård plays the Prime Minister of Canada, several scenes are set in “Sweden” (they were actually shot in Montréal),  and the film ends with Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own.”  In one hilarious scene, Seth Rogen’s character shows up at a state dinner with Swedish royalty dressed in what is supposed to be a traditional Swedish folk costume, a practical joke played on him because he hadn’t brought proper clothes himself.

Jessica Dolinger, on behalf of the production companies, worked out the licensing arrangement with Warner Music Group.

View the movie trailer on YouTube  |  View extended movie trailer on YouTube (Roxette mention at 1:20)