Photo by: reeltalkonline.org
The dream team of director Nicholas Stoller and actor Jason Segel, the duo behind the 2008 classic goofball comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” returns with a rated-R romantic comedy for the ages.
“The Five-Year Engagement” is the first great comedy of 2012 as Segel stars across British actress Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) and the combination and chemistry between the two is a sensation.
What makes the movie a success, other than the textbook, expectable comedy of Segel tripping over himself as any true oaf does, is that the characters are realistically portrayed and their exchanges, issues and decisions are relatable, while being outrageously over-done.
In addition, the movie isn’t your typical romantic comedy-the only flashback includes Segel in a pink bunny outfit. Also, you see Segel’s bare ass later on, not Blunt’s.
While it sounds outrageous, the movie is actually quite well done as the audience follows the dysfunctional relationship between Segel’s Tom and Blunt’s Violet. They are inseparable, but, at the same time, destined to fail as soon as Violet’s career trumps Tom’s.
What ensues from a rather simple plot-a struggling couple putting off marriage embarks on a trip from San Francisco to Ann Arbor, Michigan, transforms into something much more serious then the movie’s preview leads on to believe.
However, watching Segel regress into caveman form and groom some hideous facial hair, is much more hysterical than sad, and that’s the key ingredient to “The Five-Year Engagement.” He keeps the movie going even at its low points. You don’t want to see this guy fail, because he is so damn likable.
The lead actor dictates a film and Segel does the top spot justice again as he did in his previous film with Stoller, when the two wrote the script and music for “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
This time around, the two opted to utilize some classic Van Morrison tracks to set the mood and the score is a delight to listen to for any fans of songs such as “Into the Mystic”
Besides Segel and Blunt, there is lot of comedic talent in the supporting cast, most notably from Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) and Alison Brie (Community), who serve as drastic contrast to the main couple’s relationship. Brie and Blunt share a hysterical scene where they hash out adult issues, while imitating the Cookie Monster and Elmo.
Comedians Rhys Ifans, Mindy Kaling and Kevin Hart supply additional comedic support in Michigan, where Blunt is a high-rising academic in the field of psychology.
The psych group scenes are funny, but the heart of the film’s comedy remains Segel, who shines with his support group, including Brian Posehn and Chris Parnell.
Segel is once again fish out of water type character and he relishes in the role, becoming an obsessed hunter as his chef abilities are repressed in Michigan’s hostile restaurant industry.
His struggles are mostly funny, though, even in his darkest moments. Segel has mastered the type of likable schlep that is not only relatable, but also sincere.
In all, if you’re a fan of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” then you will enjoy “The Five-Year Engagement.” It may be marketed as a romantic comedy, but really it’s two hours you can spend with one of Hollywood’s funniest men.
