The team that made Forgetting Sarah Marshall fail to come up with something as good, despite a very talented cast, including two charming leads, and some very effective moments, including the use of one of my favourite songs, "Sweet Thing" by Van Morrison. The main problem is the story, which is based on a weak concept that doesn't improve on execution. Knocked Up or Sarah Marshall was based upon strong conflict (pregnancy, a third party) but in this case the only reason the characters can't get married is because, well, they're reluctant to do so. Instead of just driving to Vegas or a registrar they hum and haw, and it drags on and on and does feel like a long engagement.
This wouldn't matter if we really got into the characters, in the matter of say Two for the Road, which I occasionally got the impression this was trying to go for, but we don't. (Two for the Road had more story than this.) There are some lovely bits of observation, and insight into being a couple, but there's too much schtick for it too work as a drama-dy. (The finale feels as though it's straight out of How I Met Your Mother, which is a good show it just feels too broad and not realistic, and thus out of the tone of the rest of it). Supporting actors come on and do their comic turns (as opposed to playing real people), there's lots of "business", some really dull complications (they breaks up and she goes for Rhys Ifans), and it goes on and on.
It's really frustrating because there is a good movie inside here - Emily Blunt and Jason Segel are movies stars who we like, and Mindy Kalin gives a stand out supporting performance. Maybe this needed to be more snapshots in their whole relationship, like Two for the Road, or maybe it needed more in-built conflict like she can't get married because of paperwork or something. I don't know, but the film doesn't work.
And what is it with Hollywood's current obsession with food vans? Happy Endings, What to Expect When You're Expecting, this...
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