The Five Year Engagement Review

 

The Five-Year Engagement proves that Jason Segel makes every movie better simply by being in it.  Even last year’s Bad Teacher, which I gave a negative review to, was a better film because of Segel.  This time, he teams up with Emily Blunt, and this proves to be a winning combination as they are both charming and very sweet together.  You root for them to get together and stay together, and that’s vital in any romantic comedy.

Jason Segel plays Tom, a San Francisco chef, who is madly in love with Violet (Emily Blunt).  Even though his proposal to her goes very, very wrong, it’s still incredibly romantic.  Their plans to get married are put on hold when Violet gets accepted to college in Michigan, which forces the couple to move from sunny San Francisco. Tom is then forced to look for a new job and adjust to the cold winters of Michigan.  Violet on the other hand is enjoying college thanks to an inspiring professor played by Rhys Ifans.

The film has a lot of insightful truths about relationships and how they can conflict with career choices.  You love your career and your partner, so how do you find a way to give them both equal time without giving up your career or losing your partner?  It’s a tough position to be in, and there is no easy answer.  The film knows when to be sweet without being too sweet.  As an audience member, I genuinely cared about Tom and Violet.  They were a likable couple and fun to spend time with for two hours.

The supporting cast is also terrific, including Kevin Hart, Alison Brie, Chris Pratt, Mindy Kaling, Randall Park, Chris Parnell, and Brian Posehn. They add flavor and life to all of the scenes they are in and each of them add something fun and unique to the mix.  Even though the film runs at a little over two hours, it never feels like it, thanks to the fantastic cast.

The Five-Year Engagement is not a perfect movie, however.  Some of the gags, including the ones that feature amputation, really don’t work and fall flat on their face.  The misunderstandings are also a little too convenient for my liking. The storyline with the teacher is also quite predictable and unneeded.  Still, thanks to the great supporting cast, the likeable duo of Segel and Blunt, and a smart screenplay, The Five-Year Engagement is worth the wait.

Grade: A-

How should you see it: On the big screen