A prova di matrimonio

The rom-com is such a commonplace genre that one has to work hard to come up with a new angle and this one is certainly more com than rom, starting where many finish with the marriage and then - like "Hope Springs" - examining how a partner's personality and habits can really irritate and annoy. At least the American couple in "Hope Springs" had given it a good shot and reached their 60s together but, as the title suggests, in this film it's downhill from the start and marriage is often represented as not so much a word as a sentence.

Written and directed by Londoner Dan Mazer and set in his (and my) home city, the English couple in question are portrayed by Rafe Spall and Rose Byrne (actually an Australian although many people think she is American because of the likes of "Bridesmaids") and their relationship is challenged by two Americans played by Simon Baker (actually another Australian) and Anna Faris, while some of the crudest lines are delivered by Stephen Merchant of "The Office" fame.

This is a movie with lots of chuckles but few laugh-out-loud moments that reminds us that sadly marriage is not always love actually.

I file this in the same category as Death at a funeral and A few best men: a nominally funny premise where the comedy is shoveled on with a trowel in a 'quantity equals quality' approach. Stephan Merchant's lines in particular are so cringe-worthy that after the 10th faux pas you know he's going to say something offensive every time he opens his mouth so there is no shock value left. Rafe Spall seems to be treating this as a movie-length episode of 'Pete vs Life'. This is a British film but it has all the hallmarks of a typical U.S. gross-out comedy, and all the shortcomings of that genre too. If you don't believe in the characters as real people then the comedy becomes like watching a cartoon. Be warned: if you have seen the trailer, then you have seen all the best lines in the film.

Check out my review on my Blog at http://fameasserlufc.wordpress.com

Dysfunctional is definitely a word I would use to describe this film.

"I Give It A Year" follows the trials and tribulations of a young couple who, after marrying shortly after meeting, struggle through married life for the first year of their new lives. Rafe Spall and Rose Byrne are the couple in question but as their lives take a turn away from each other and into the arms of ex-girlfriends (Anna Faris) and business colleagues (Simon Baker) everything turns to turmoil with hilarious results.

Awkward is another word I would use to describe this film. Much of the comedy stems from the wrong thing being said at the wrong time in front of the wrong people. Steven Merchant's best friend role is one he plays to perfection as it's not too much of a stretch from his normal self as Ricky Gervais' right-hand man.

Spall is great fun in the film and has to carry a lot of the comedy himself, having a very quirky relationship with his Ex, where Byrne is a more serious person and the situations she finds herself in lend themselves more to the "should she or shouldn't she" question.

It's not the funniest film ever made, but it's well worth a chuckle and I can't help think that the film would have benefited more from a full cinema, rather than a 7-person screening (yes I was the odd one out). Comedy films tend to work a lot better when there's more people watching.

That being said, the first third of the film and the last third definitely have moments which are very funny and "Laugh Out Loud" but the middle section does seem to focus more on which way the characters will turn than the comedy aspect.

Worth a watch, by maybe a DVD viewing in a year or so rather than making a special trip to see on the big screen.

"I Give It a Year" is labeled as a romantic comedy. Well, sure that is true enough, though it is heavier on the romantic aspect as to what it is in the comedy department.

That being said, don't get me wrong. I am not saying that this movie is not good, because I actually did enjoy watching it. I am just saying, don't expect to be laughing a lot throughout the movie. I think I actually just laughed once, and it was during the photo-frame scene with the in-laws.

The story in "I Give It a Year" is a good story, especially because director Dan Mazer managed to tell it in a very captivating way, and managed to keep the movie running at a continuous flow. There weren't really any boring moments throughout the course of the movie.

To summarize the movie's storyline briefly, then Josh (played by Rafe Spall) and Nat (played by Rose Byrne) are married on nine months, but things are far from well. Especially because Josh's former love Chloe (played by Anna Faris) is in the picture. And things doesn't take a turn for the better when Nat lands a new client, an American named Guy (played Simon Baker) who is instantly charmed by her.

The cast really delivered some great and realistic performances here, and they had managed to get together a great ensemble of actors and actresses. Aside from the four lead actors and actresses, then it was also nice to see Jason Flemyng in this movie, his character was rather nice.

The movie is predictable, yes, but still, director Dan Mazer managed to keep the movie fresh and interesting from start to finish. If you enjoy movies that bear a resemblance to what you could experience in real life, and enjoy these type of romantic movies, then by all means, you should watch "I Give It a Year".

Okay, so imagine you've just finished work, got home and need something to provide a little bit of background noise whilst sat with your laptop on brushing up on what's happened in the world, whilst thinking about what to have for dinner. This film is perfect for that.

This film isn't not funny. It's just not THAT funny. Quirky bits here and there, but once you've heard one sex pun, you've heard 'em all. It never really gets going and half way through the film I could tell I wasn't the only one sat in the cinema thinking this is slowly turning into a bit of a bore.

There are a smattering of funny areas, particularly the Christmas Party scene, but other than that, it's your run-of-the-mill Brit Rom-Com that doesn't really come to life.

Advice? Wait until it turns up on Sky Movies. Then you can judge for free.