The Five-Year Engagement

Directed (and co-written) by Nicholas Stroller, Apatow Productions, 2012

Starring: Jason Segel (co-writer), Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie, David Paymer, Mimi Kennedy and Rhys Ifans.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Question: Do you ever just want to go to the movies but there really isn't anything in that you are dying to see? How do you choose which film to see then? This happens to me. Just this week I wanted to go the movie theatre (What's new?) but nothing was shouting out at me saying, "See this!" So I looked up what was playing and narrowed it down to three.

Then I went to Rotten Tomatoes and looked at the ratings of each one. I chose the highest marked one: The Five-Year Engagement, not only did it have the highest rating, it was the only one that was "fresh". Yes, even I go by what others say, sometimes, about films. However, I didn't have time to read the blurbs from the critics as the movie was starting in less than 20 minutes.

I had some high hopes for The Five-Year Engagement. First, it was a Judd Apatow production. He's done some pretty fun films (The Year Old Virgin, Knocked-up and, my favorite of his, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy). Second, I have enjoyed many of the films by the lead actors: Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. Lastly, I sort of watched the preview a while back and thought it had potential.

The theatre was empty when I walked in but it was only 11:00am. I do love seeing the first showing of the day. Anyway, a few people straggled in just before the movie started. And for the first thirty minutes or so, I laughed, smiled and really enjoyed the movie. Then something switched.

Quick synopsis - a couple have been together for a year, they get engaged and start the process of planning the wedding. This part was enjoyable. Then life happens. Meaning, as they are planning everything, something alters their plans and they decide to hold off on the wedding, hence the name of the film. However, when it got to that part in the movie it...just...got...weird.

I can't quite put my finger as to what happened but it just was no longer funny or they tried too hard and the jokes got stale. But it also turned into a drama, sort of. But the end, it picked back up a bit with the story but by that point it had lost my attention.

The actors all did a fine job but nothing spectacular to discuss regarding a specific scene or performance. Sad to say.

Again, I hate to write a review about a movie I just didn't enjoy all that much. I really don't like doing this part of my job. I know the filmmakers tried...oh, I just can't give harsh criticism...sorry....or you're welcome.
But I have to end on a high note - the beginning was fun.

My favorite part: The engagement party and the speeches. Very funny stuff.

My least favorite part: The venison dinner scene. You'll see. Odd, just odd.

Rating: R
Length: 124 minutes

Review: 4 out of 10

Click on the film poster below to purchase DVD or watch on Instant Video:

More Exclusive Reviews on Expats - March 20, 2012

Hello movie fans,

I am currently working on another review - this time a horror film - for Expats Posts. However, I wanted to make sure you know about the last movie reviews I posted on there:

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Rampart

Preview: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Saw a couple movies in the last few days and they weren't that good. Oh well. However, I will post a review or two soon, but I have to share with you all one thing. Before one of the movies this trailer came on. I watched the ENTIRE thing - yes, ME!! :-)

UPDATE: Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

The Adjustment Bureau

Directed (and written) by George Nolfi, Universal Pictures, 2011.

Starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Michael Kelly, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, and Terrance Stamp.

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Question: Did you ever get that feeling when you meet someone that the two of you were meant to be together? You can't explain it but once you meet them it all makes sense. It is chance or is it destiny? Who knows?

I received The Adjustment Bureau in the mail from Netflix about a month ago and forgot I had it until recently. Finally watched it yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I wasn't expecting to - can't really say why. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are usually in pretty decent films, but something about the previews just sort of turned me off. Nonetheless, me being me (of course) I put it on my queue when it was out in the theatres, forgot about the preview and then had some time to kill yesterday.

Look at the genre list above (from IMDb) and really think about it. What a combination of styles to mix together. I sort of wasn't expecting the romance to be such a large part of it. In fact, I would consider this a romance above all; and a really good one. Perhaps it's the romantic in me that nudged me to really enjoy the story. Tales about two people who are supposed to be together, for whatever reason and obstacles keep popping up and pulling them apart; however, they keep finding themselves reconnecting...those stories just get me.

Matt Damon plays a young congressman from New York who "happens" to meet a woman (Emily Blunt) in a bathroom; they chat for a few moments and sparks fly immediately. Now I won't say what happens next with the romance part but the Sci-Fi part comes in and takes over the story after that.

Here is where you can start a debate on if there is such a thing as destiny or if it is all up to chance. The "couple", let's call them, meet again and apparently they weren't supposed to according to a certain group of individuals. Why are these people so interested in this couple? I am not going to tell you that. However, this group apparently helps "guide" others towards paths that they should be on and when they veer off they come in to put them back on track. However, chance has a way of getting these two together or was it destiny?

Who are these people that want to control people's paths? Well, the film-makers tried to explain who they are. You'll see.

Of course as the The Adjustment Bureau continues the lovers find themselves in and out of each other lives. When they were together (Matt Damon and Emily Blunt) I found myself smiling watching them. Their relationship was effortless and I feel most people would kill for that these days. So I was big rooter for them to get together and stay together. What obstacles did they have; were they able to overcome them, and did they finally make it? Well, you know my answer to those questions....

One thing I will tell you about this film, I really enjoyed watching Matt Damon's character and his persistence to be with the one he loved. It was truly heartwarming. Yeah, yeah, I am a girl and all it takes is for us to see a guy drop everything for a girl. We fall for that storyline every...single...time. And I fell for it again in The Adjustment Bureau. Why did he fight so hard for her? Well, there is the obvious. He loves her - geesh, come on people. But there was more and I will give you a little hint...he knew about something that she did not. I have a feeling if she did she would have acted the same way...okay, may have just revealed a little too much but I felt like sharing today.

Also, I think both male and females movie fans will like this one. The Adjustment Bureau covers both a guy flick and chick flick quite well.

Interesting trivia - this movie was based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. He passed away in 1982 but here are a few his other stories that eventually became films: Minority Report, Total Recall and Blade Runner.

My favorite thing: Well, I will say it again - Matt Damon's character's conviction to be with her.

My least favorite: It was a bit predictable, but then again I see A LOT of movies so I will let that one slide.

Rating: PG-13
Length: 106 minutes

Review: 6 out of 10

Click on film poster below to watch instantly: