The Five Year Engagement Review

Speaking of run of the mill romantic comedies, this is a perfect example.  There is nothing in this movie that really makes it different than any other.  It's the typical, "two people are in love, reach a crisis, and come to realize they still love each other."  We've seen it, or a similar story, time and time again.

That's not to say that there aren't some funny moments in the film.  There were a few times when I laughed out loud at something Jason Segel, Brian Posehn or Chris Parnell said.  But, for the most part, even their lines seemed to have no real effort in the writing and delivery.  That disappoints me because both Posehn and Parnell are some of the best at being the sidekick that confuses the hero and makes you laugh (Posehn's work on Just Shoot Me was quite good).  This all surprises me because this movie was written by Segel and produced by Judd Apatow.  Both are very talented people.

It's almost as if they decided at the last minute to throw together a film that would be able to make a few bucks.  Kind of like if Apatow and Segel found that they both had some free time to take up a little hobby and keep themselves busy.  I got the feeling that there was no real planning or original idea that sparked anything to make this project.  And that's not necessarily a bad thing because there is definitely a market for the basic romantic comedy.  And if people like it and you keep it within budget to make a few dollars, well, that's just free enterprise.

If you're into that kind of thing, you may enjoy it.  But I doubt it because even Steph said it was just OK.  And this genre is right in her wheelhouse.  Don't see it.