Iffy for 15+
Apatow-produced comedy mixes romance, adult humor.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Five-Year Engagement is a Judd Apatow-produced romantic comedy that stars Jason Segel and Emily Blunt as a couple who finds that, the longer their engagement lasts, the more potential problems they discover, and the harder it becomes for them to follow through on matrimony. There's tons of innuendo and adult sexual references, an extended sex scene with multiple positions (though no graphic nudity), a few scenes showing men naked from behind, and plenty of risque language (including "f--k," "s--t," and more). Overall, though, the tone is more "heartwarming romcom" (with a dash of bawdiness) than outright "raunchy comedy," and the film has worthwhile things to say about grown-up relationships.
- Families can talk about how The Five-Year Engagement compares to other romantic comedies. Is it more believable than other movies? Why or why not?
- How does it compare to other "Apatow-ian" comedies, which are generally known for being raunchy (if heartfelt)? Does it push the envelope as far? Why do so many comedies seem determined to cross as many lines as possible?
- How does the movie portray sex? Were the sex scenes risque or funny? Do they have a point, other than to elicit laughs? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
- Talk about the sacrifices that people make for love. Is it unusual for a film to focus on a man who makes sacrifices for the benefit of his partner's career?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's central message is that relationships aren't perfect, and nobody will be everything to their partner at all times. This dose of realism contradicts the dewy-eyed love that blinds many young couples on the path to matrimony, but it's important for adults to realize as their relationships evolve and mature.
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Role models: Tom and Violet sometimes act childish and immature, but mostly they try to speak honestly about their feelings -- a tough but necessary part of being involved in a real partnership.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some heated arguments and a few accidents involving a crossbow, a cleaver, and frostbite that feature grisly images of reasonably serious injuries (though the tone is light/humorous). Some scenes feature deer hunting. One man angrily threatens another with bodily harm, chases him down the street, and then takes a few swings at him, though it's not really much of a fight.
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Sex: Many scenes with romantic/passionate kissing. Several others show couples engaged in sex, though there's no graphic nudity (but one extended sequence includes yelling, thrusting, and multiple positions). One male character's naked backside makes several appearances, and one cooking scene shows him wearing an apron decorated with a lifelike drawing of a nude male physique. Tom fakes an orgasm in one scene, and there's a scene in which his brother uses a carrot and sour cream to simulate the act of masturbation. Plenty of suggestive talk, including a man who says he deserves to get "super laid."
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Language: Frequent swearing includes many uses of "s--t," "f--k," "ass," "d--k," "t-ts," "bitch," "c--t," "damn," "ass," "hell," "goddamn," and more.
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Consumerism: Several people use Apple computers, and the University of Michigan plays an key role in the film. Zingerman's, a well-known deli in the school's hometown, has a big role in the film and is mentioned by name, repeatedly, and praised in glowing terms.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Several scenes show people drinking at parties, at bars, and at other social events. A woman sometimes steels herself with a drink before difficult conversations. Some people get quite drunk on occasion and are later shown with hangovers or suffering from other problems related to overindulging.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Too Long But Does Have Some Good Moments. by Alon Patterson
This one could easily have been edited down to 1:40 without losing anything. It follows the basic romantic comedy formula almost verbatim, except for the comedy part. Admittedly, film comedy is a tough gig but this one hits and misses. Overall it's fairly entertaining and maintains the audience's interest but it does drag on in parts. It's worth its ticket price though. See it. You won't be disappointed.
5
Smart and Funny by thunderhound
This is an intelligently wrought film depicting the complexities and strains arising in relationships when individual career priorities clash. The film also celebrates cultural diversity in a backhanded way with unique, non-stereotypical characters of all races resulting in many curious and humorous moments. There are also surprisingly touching moments, heartfelt, with deep soulful resonance. In all, this is not a boring film unless you are 12 years old or prefer car chases and explosions. It's a smart film offering many things to think about regarding intimate relationships and well worth the experience. There is some crude humor and sexuality but it works well in context. Finally, some fan reviews refer to the film as Hollywood propaganda, a waste of time, etc...I can only guess these were written by hate mongering bigots angry at seeing people of color on the screen and whose own spiritual impoverishment makes it impossible for them to appreciate nuanced human frailty.
3
Five Years To Forever Years by TestSubjectA
It?s a dark romantic comedy that?s too long for it?s own good and that?s the truth. It could have been shortened down to the 6 month engagement and we would have gotten the same results. I really did enjoy some of the gags, like Jason Segel in a bunny suit, but at times the comedy was forced upon the audience like the premise of the film. It would be fair to say that they missed some moments for comedy gold and instead gave us easter eggs for the elderly.
The ending was a bit over the top silly, but that?s what?s expected from a Jason Segel film. I left the theater happy and it wasn?t until I stopped to think about it did I remember that the movie dragged like the train of a wedding dress.
5
So Fun by sunsetsunrise
Loved this movie! Had just enough adult humor along with real life scenarios. It was a bit long but I thought the pace kept me interested and never got bored, Emily Blunt and Jason Segel had so much chemistry so the whole relationship was very believable. Her sister and brother-in-law topped off the family relationship in a mix of humor and realism. My husband enjoyed this too and was surprised since he thought this was going to be another boring chick flick, So glad I ignored some of the reviews and went anyway based on being a big Emily Blunt fan. Nice change after all the action movies out.
2
The Five-Year Engagement by relivmom
This movie is not worth the time or money. Wait for it to be on tv. The F word is WAY over-used. It became ridiculous, seriously. Acting was ok, but the story line was really lacking. Very disappointing.
2
Didn't like it by tregeta
Ok, the previews made it look like it was a cute comedy about an engaged couple who had to postpone their wedding over and over. But what surprised my fiance and I was how the movie was in-your-face vulgar and crude. There are multiple sex scenes that would be pornography except the fact that the women have bra's on. There are far more f-bombs dropped than necessary. And the plot just takes some really bizarre and awkward turns that take the romance right out of it. Now, I will say there are some funny parts in this movie, not a lot but they're there. I won't reveal too much, but I can tell you that by the end of it, you don't have the warm romantic feeling, you have the feeling that you're ready to go do something else and you're done with the movie. So in short, unless you want lots of f-bombs, gratuitous sex scenes, and a very vaguely romantic plot, then don't see this movie, at least in theaters, it's a waste of a date.
2
Not up to expectations. by escapeartist96
I really wanted to like this movie, with its sympathetic co-stars, but, once it gets to Michigan, it kind of meanders, and the gratuitous hunting sub-plot, though, obviously, no animals were harmed, pushes it into thumbs down territory for me.
1
so confusingly bad by jobudz
I was excited to see this because I love Jason Segel, but I just didn't understand why this movie was ever made. Such boring, bland writing and dialouge...invented obstacles and the tone was all over the place. The physical stuff seemed way out of place and for a romantic comedy it wasn't very funny or romantic.
Skip it. Seriously.
5
The Five Year Engagement by tcdiehl
The movie was better than I thought it would be, especially since I thought it might be a "chick flick". My wife and I both laughed throughout the whole picture. A great combination of humor, drama, and love, with a few scenes/language geared toward adult audiences. Terrific acting from all of the main characters. A refreshing option from all those movies with bloody violence, vengence seekers, vampires, graphic horror,etc. Go see it...you'll feel good!
3
Had Quite a Few Funny Moments, But Could Use Some Trimming by MikeLogan316
My wife and I saw it last night, and while we laughed and enjoyed the acting, the film could have been trimmed significantly, particularly the last 30 minutes or so. The actors and characters were realistic, but the plot seemed to have derailed and as a result the film felt long as it approached the end.
Overall, it could have been better, but it could have been worse too.