Written, produced and directed by Nicholas Stoller, The Five Year Engagement is an American romantic comedy that revolves around the rocky relationship of it primary characters - Tom Solomon, played by Jason Segal and Violet Barnes, by the beautiful Emily Blunt.
Tom, an experienced sous chef, begins our story with a chivalrous attempt at proposing to his lovely girlfriend of one year, Violet. She accepts (no spoilers here, hence the title) and the two wistfully schmaltz over how they met.
However, Violet, a psychology PhD graduate, finds herself with an opportunity to undertake a two year post-doctorate at Michigan University. A chance of a lifetime scenario, she and Tom mutually agree that two years is a pinch when planning to spend the rest of your life together and so begins a series of circumstances and cataclysmic events that cause the engagement to, well, you know - last for five years.
Many reviews have criticized this flick for being too long, much like it's sister-genre release, Bridesmaids. And though I agree the aforementioned title was far too lengthy, and indeed that a jolly Rom- Com should really only take up about 100 minutes of your time at the most, I have to say that Five Year didn't feel like it was outstretched. Sure, you could make the argument that fat could be trimmed here and there but I didn't get impatient or feel certain scenes were dragged out.
As for the the films lead actors, I thought Segal was fantastic. His affable style and earnest nature is something movie goers have come to love over the last few years. It's important to note also, Segal is listed first in the credits, along with director Stoller, as writer. He also had a hand in the films production and so forth. And as for Ms. Blunt, well she is just an absolute delight in this film. I'm fast becoming a huge fan of her work and in this piece she is superbly charming and her comedic mannerisms are subtle but quite brilliant. The supporting cast are all great, too. Chris Pratt, of Parks and Recreation fame, is too himself carving out a nice little niche as the benign, lovable idiot. And Alison Brie, who portrays Blunts sister, will no doubt be the character people quote and reference endlessly as a standout from the films most memorable scenes.
I suppose with all the wedding related pictures around at the moment this film could get swept under the rug by those weary of this current ilk. To those souls such jaded I'd say "check it out", it's a really sweet film and any one who's a fan of Van Morrison will not be disappointed. I would recommend this to all movie lovers, not just those of the so called Rom-Com genre, or indeed this hot new wedding fad genre, but to anyone who enjoys a well acted and well crafted film that'll make you laugh - possible cry, and certainly make you a fan of Segal, Blunt, Pratt and Brie alike. Top stuff!!
Tom, an experienced sous chef, begins our story with a chivalrous attempt at proposing to his lovely girlfriend of one year, Violet. She accepts (no spoilers here, hence the title) and the two wistfully schmaltz over how they met.
However, Violet, a psychology PhD graduate, finds herself with an opportunity to undertake a two year post-doctorate at Michigan University. A chance of a lifetime scenario, she and Tom mutually agree that two years is a pinch when planning to spend the rest of your life together and so begins a series of circumstances and cataclysmic events that cause the engagement to, well, you know - last for five years.
Many reviews have criticized this flick for being too long, much like it's sister-genre release, Bridesmaids. And though I agree the aforementioned title was far too lengthy, and indeed that a jolly Rom- Com should really only take up about 100 minutes of your time at the most, I have to say that Five Year didn't feel like it was outstretched. Sure, you could make the argument that fat could be trimmed here and there but I didn't get impatient or feel certain scenes were dragged out.
As for the the films lead actors, I thought Segal was fantastic. His affable style and earnest nature is something movie goers have come to love over the last few years. It's important to note also, Segal is listed first in the credits, along with director Stoller, as writer. He also had a hand in the films production and so forth. And as for Ms. Blunt, well she is just an absolute delight in this film. I'm fast becoming a huge fan of her work and in this piece she is superbly charming and her comedic mannerisms are subtle but quite brilliant. The supporting cast are all great, too. Chris Pratt, of Parks and Recreation fame, is too himself carving out a nice little niche as the benign, lovable idiot. And Alison Brie, who portrays Blunts sister, will no doubt be the character people quote and reference endlessly as a standout from the films most memorable scenes.
I suppose with all the wedding related pictures around at the moment this film could get swept under the rug by those weary of this current ilk. To those souls such jaded I'd say "check it out", it's a really sweet film and any one who's a fan of Van Morrison will not be disappointed. I would recommend this to all movie lovers, not just those of the so called Rom-Com genre, or indeed this hot new wedding fad genre, but to anyone who enjoys a well acted and well crafted film that'll make you laugh - possible cry, and certainly make you a fan of Segal, Blunt, Pratt and Brie alike. Top stuff!!