241, I Give it a Year

After the disappointing Quartet, I was looking forward to this Brit comedy that charts the 1st year of a  'rushed into' marriage for newly weds Rose Byrne and Rafe Spall. 

Sadly, (or in this case, not so sadly) its apparent early on that with other attractions in the form of millionaire businessman Guy (Simon Baker / The Mentalist) for her and ex-girlfriend Chloe (Anna Farris / Housebunny) for him, our two lovebirds discover they may have jumped into matrimony a little too quickly as they try desperately and, sometimes awkwardly to attempt not to hurt each others feelings when secretly, all they both want is a clean break back to their own lives.

Its not just the relationship between the leading duo that grabs the laughs here though - there are plenty of fantastic supporting roles including Minnie Driver and Jason Flemyng as the 'married best friends' who's hate / hate relationship seems to be the perfect remedy to a loving and happy marriage and the marriage councillor who is more intent on couples not getting back together, spending most of the time rowing with her own hubby over the phone.

Finally - the fantastic Stephen Merchant rocks up as the ever so annoying best friend (of the Groom) who's literal mere being is enough to drive Byrne's character to complete frustration and that in itself is the focus for over 80% of the laughs in this movie - Merchant rules!.

I found this movie hilarious - its one of those awkward comedy movies where the laughs don't seem to come from actual jokes or witty one liners but more the circumstances that our cast manage to find themselves in.  These range from the wedding speeches (cringe) & games of charades (nightmare!) to the marriage guidance meetings and a trip to the adult shop! 

Rose Byrne is a brilliant choice for the lead lady in this - recently known for parts in X-Men: First Class and Bridesmaids, she manages to play the 'stiff upper lip' Brit who's worth so much more than she's settled for with Spall's (recently seen as the narrator in Life of Pi) more down to earth and geeky approach to life.

Anna Faris and Simon Baker couldn't be more different as the alternative love interests but each of them perfectly matched to each half of the married couple and its only a matter of time before the cracks start to show and the mutual feelings start seeping through.

This is a great little movie, wedged in between some real big budget blockbusters and a welcome rest bite between explosions, however that said - Die Hard is next so its all too soon back to the Big Guns!