Last summer, an R-rated raunchy
comedy centered on wedding events hit the box office like a lightning bolt, so
one can definitely see the logic in trying to apply a similar formula in order
to appeal to audiences. While there is a
high-level of star-power surrounding Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, the biggest
names attached to The Five-Year
Engagement actually resided behind the camera. Director Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek) has proven an
aptitude for guiding a strong comedy, while producer Judd Apatow (Anchorman, Superbad, Step Brothers) has
been synonymous with cinematic humor for the past decade …there was no doubt a
HUGE fan-base that would be able to drive ticket sales. The box office has been gaining momentum
leading up to the first weekend in May (case-in-point being Think Like A Man), and while it was
unlikely that this newest Apatow comedy would achieve Bridesmaids-levels of success, hopes were high. As a fan of every name associated with this
project (not to mention my huge crush on Emily Blunt), I knew that I had to see
The Five-Year Engagement, and it
looked like strong laughs were virtually guaranteed.
Though it does offer plenty of
laughs, the truth is that The Five-Year
Engagement isn’t going to make any headlines as a ground-breaking comedy;
rather, the main appeal of this film is the chemistry that connects the cast,
adding not only humor, but also considerable heart. Together, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt are
remarkably compatible, so much so that you not only enjoy their characters trading
quips with each other, but you also genuinely want them to stay together. Another strong aspect, which probably should
have been leveraged more in advertising, is the supporting cast, which
overflows with comedic talent and several familiar faces, like Kevin Hart,
Mindy Kaling, and Chris Parnell.
However, despite the accolades, the story is a little too convenient and
corny, one too many jokes fall completely flat, and the running time is just too
long. So, if you are a fan of the names
attached to The Five-Year Engagement,
you will undoubtedly enjoy the film, but be warned that it isn’t the kind of
romantic comedy that will have you rolling in the aisles or one that you will
feel absolutely compelled to see again.
