When it comes to British romantic comedies, all you really want is a half decent storyline, a great cast, class comedy moments and a combination of dry whit and full blooded stupidity, which is exactly what you get with I Give It A Year. It’ll have you in stitches almost instantly, and despite a very funny trailer, they’ve managed to save a lot of the comedy up their sleeves for the full release of the film.
Starring Stephen Merchant, who does a hell of a good job at being the centre of a lot of the best comedy moments of the movie, it features a cast that isn’t particularly well known. However, despite the understated role call, it manages to be a big comedy that does exactly what it says on the tin.
The story follows the beginning and what appears to be imminent end of the marriage between Nat, played by Rose Byrne (X-Men First Class), and Josh, played very well by Rafe Spall (Prometheus). Following a mad cap wedding, which includes a pretty funny best man speech from Josh’s best friend, Dan (Merchant), the couple take on the first year of married life, but as the juxtaposed scenes of future councelling sessions show, things get pretty bumpy fast.
There are more stand out moments in I Give It A Year than the 1990 World Cup, with Olivier Coleman (Peep Show and Tyrannosaur) firing out frightening marriage councelling, Minnie Driver pulling out some ace Justin Bieber inspired lines as Nat’s older sister, Naomi, a funny sex scene with Josh’s old flame and friend, Chloe, played by Anna Farris (Scary Movie) and an unfortunate incident with a dove thanks to the amorous intentions of Nat’s client, Guy, played by Simon Baker (L.A. Confidential).
With the attention of Guy and Chloe to content with, and their annoying habits getting to each other, I Give It A Year, keeps you guessing all the way through. Left-field and unconventional, it’s a refreshing take on love in the modern age with director Dan Mazer (Borat) doing well to bring something new to the rom-com format and not relying on stilted cliches.
The film builds and builds in craziness before it all comes to a head for the mind boggling finale, which only adds to the stupid, comic charm of the movie. It’s also the kind of film that you’d be inclined to watch again, so should be one to look forward to for DVD and Blu-ray release too. Keep an eye out on our DVD and Blu-ray news section for more information.
I Give It A Year review: 4/5
I Give It A Year trailer:
