Tom and Violet become engaged one year after they first meet. In a series of misadventures, the wedding date is pushed back further and further as Violet’s career blossoms and Tom’s retreats. Directed by Nicolas Stoller (The Muppets, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and written by Stoller and Jason Segal (The Muppets, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), The Five-Year Engagement has something for everyone.
What sets this film apart from the typical romantic comedy is the emphasis on presenting a very intimate look at the relationship of a young couple. Yes, they love each other and show affection, but they truly have each others back in all situations. One of the things that stood out to me was how, early in their relationship, each immediately knew when something was bothering the other and spoke up about it. It was very refreshing to see that level of intimacy as positive. This is a modern couple who lives together and can’t wait to share with each other everything that happens in their life.
If Emily Blunt wasn’t British, she’d be America’s sweetheart. Her charm and wit light up every scene as she looks both stunning and approachable. She has the perfect level of credibility as an academic to pull off Violet and yet just silly enough to keep up with Jason Segal. Segal is a perfect everyman and oozing with adorableness as he wears a bunny suit. The supporting cast is a magnificent mix of actors and actresses that know how to add to the scene and not take it over. My favorite was Brian Posehn, as Tom’s boss in the deli. He has the ability to say things that are outrageous but in a completely believable and natural way. Other standouts include, but are not limited to: Kevin Hart (Think Like A Man), Mindy Kaling (NBC’s The Office), Randall Park (Larry Crowne), Chris Parnell (NBC’s 30 Rock) and Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill).
Providing a large part of the comedy was Alex (Chris Pratt, NBC’s Parks & Recreation) and Suzie (Alison Brie, NBC’s Community, AMC’s Madmen). I felt several scenes were robbed of drama by unnecessary comedy, mostly by Pratt. There is a fantastic scene where Alex is talking with Tom and just when I was really enjoying the moment of two male friends speaking so candidly to one another, Alex says something completely idiotic and ruins the moment. This happened a few more times with Suzie as well.
Although I loved the comedy and know others will also enjoy it, I couldn’t help but want to see a more dramatic version that really dug deep into their situation. One of my favorite portrayal’s of a young couple was 2008’s Revolutionary Road showing the birth of their love to it’s demise. Without the laughs, The Five-Year Engagement could have really been a magnificent portrait of Tom and Violet as their wedding date is post-poned, but I’m still happy with this version.
Rating: With humor that comes from true-life situations, it’s likely to please audiences who love other Apatow-produced films. 7/10
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