With excellent timing, gags that run the gamut from crude to intellectual and a strong heart, “The Five-Year Engagement” was a true pleasure to watch.@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1195478/@@
I really didn’t know what to expect when I saw the poster. It seemed kind of understated and not something I would pick out for myself if I was going to see a film. I am happy to report that it was a flawed observation. Maybe the poster was designed to pick up a more 18-35 female market. Let me assure you that this film is awesome for everybody. Or, young adults onward anyway.
Jason Segel plays Tom Solomon, an up-and-coming chef at a restaurant in San Francisco with a steady girlfriend until they promptly get engaged within the first five minutes of the film. Opposite Segel is Emily Blunt, who has some fair acting chops as we saw in her role as Queen Victoria in “The Young Victoria.” The performances are top-notch.@@names checked in imdb@@
This isn’t really silly humor, but Segel sidles into that position gently during the second act. But this doesn’t detract from his character at all. You believe everything the characters say and do. Much of the supporting cast (which many will recognize from other comedy films of this genre such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) pick up the silly slack, but again it only helps round out the film. The jokes are always coming in at odd angles and in some cases at uncomfortable times, relieving the tension.
The timing was impeccable. The film only seemed to drag during the last 10 minutes, and that’s not too shabby. But it wasn’t much of a hindrance, and the audience still really wants it to work out for the two leads.
The comedy was great, but where this film really has some gravitas is in its theme. When you see the relationship between these two people, it isn’t overly saccharine and ridiculous. Sure, there are some sweet moments, but the whole time I felt like I was watching two real people. An almost complete suspension of disbelief occurred, and that is rare with Hollywood films nowadays. The lovers had their problems, and they were real problems you can relate with.
Here’s a weird side note: Segel looked a little sickly for most of the film. It worked for his character, but it makes me wonder if there is something going on. Maybe he’s just sitting out in the sun too long.
The soundtrack tends to be my most-liked portion of films. Unfortunately, I don’t really feel like the soundtrack to this film was all that memorable. Not a big deal in comedy films, and it doesn’t affect this one at all.
“The Five-Year Engagement” is a home run. There are a few things that count against it, but the film has some sort of bulletproof skin. Those problems just seem to bounce off the viewing experience. This is one of those movies that I would certainly buy when it comes out for purchase. If you haven’t been in a long-term relationship before and want some dramatized (though not too far off the mark) insight into what it’s like, or if you can relate, see this movie. Hell, if you want to watch an awesome comedy, see this movie. If you want to take a girl out to see a movie, see this movie. Just plain see this movie.

Grade: A-