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THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENTMovie Reviews
Comedy about an engaged couple who keep getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle. Cast:Jason Segel, Alison Brie, Rhys Ifans, Emily Blunt Violet, Chris Pratt, David PaymerDirector:Nicholas StollerRelease Date:April 27, 2012DVD Release:August 28, 2012From:UniversalRating:RLength:2 hr 4 min
AUGUST 28, 2012
The Five-Year Engagement, Good (Not Great) Reviews
The Five-Year Engagement played to good not great reviews. • Ty Burr wrote in the Boston Globe, "...pleasant and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny... There's no reason for it to go on for over two hours, though." • And Bill Goodykoontz wrote in the Arizona Republic, "Some bits are funny, some vulgar, some sweet." More Reviews Below...
The Five-Year Engagement Positive Reviews (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Alynda Wheat, People: MODERATE(cg) "...when it works, it's hilarious... But even a great cast, including Alison Brie as Violet's sister Sylvia, and Chris Pratt as Tom's fratty pal Alex, can't buoy the plot."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 164 words, 04/26/12
Mary Pols, Time: FAIR "...affable but uneven... Virtually every character gets their own moment of stand up, but in most cases, the bits aren't funny enough..."(See all of Mary Pols's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 938 words, 04/27/12
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "...scattered and overlong... touches on themes of love found and lost in a serious way, and to its credit it does find some moments of emotional truth..."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 629 words, 04/26/12
Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "...it's impossible not to root for the immensely appealing Segel and Blunt (such an inspired pairing!) -- or smile during the hammy but adorable final act."(See all of Mara Reinstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 192 words, 04/26/12
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "...has a shaggy, unpredictable structure that works for it.... a comedy about falling from love, and grasping your way back to happily ever after."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 752 words, 04/27/12
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Segel and Blunt are a dream pair of bruised romantics... builds a rooting interest in its characters that slaps a goofy smile on your face and keeps it there."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 322 words, 04/27/12
Claudia Puig, USA Today: MODERATE(cg) "...starts out well, then becomes contrived and goes on too long. There are funny scenarios and sweet moments, but not nearly enough..."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 04/27/12
Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the smartest, most likable such film I've seen in years, even if you might think it does need to have its mouth washed out with soap."(See all of Glenn Kenny's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 703 words, 04/25/12
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...an uncomfortable look at the difficulties of balancing a career and a relationship and what can happen when they get out of whack."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 741 words, 04/27/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...dutifully hits the marks of its genre, but it is also about the unpredictability of life and the everyday challenges of love.... a pleasant surprise."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 962 words, 04/27/12
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: EXCELLENT(cg) "...it's nice to find a romantic comedy with so much respect for both its leads: There are no heroes or villains here, just funny, likeable characters..."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 455 words, 04/27/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "There are so many detours taken by Nicholas Stoller and co-writer Jason Segel in trying to twist the typical rom-com tropes, they derail as often as the wedding plans..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 699 words, 04/27/12
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...sharp and funny... an authentic, dimensional human element animates the jokes and the characters with whom we spend a couple of highly satisfying hours."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 615 words, 04/27/12
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: MODERATE(cg) "A mildly amusing romantic comedy, though it's hard to care much about two people kept apart by nothing but their own apathy."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 343 words, 04/27/12
Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Uneven and a little too predictable but also consistently smart, sharp and sweet... Segel and Blunt are tremendously likable performers with a genuine, easy rapport."(See all of Richard Roeper's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 666 words, 04/27/12
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: WEAK "There is exactly one unexpected moment in the otherwise drearily predictable movie... The rest is much like the doughnuts that Violet uses in a research experiment: stale..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 557 words, 04/25/12
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...something of a dubious treat, much like the stale doughnuts that become both a running gag and life metaphor in the film."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 648 words, 04/27/12
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: MODERATE(cg) "...occasionally funny and poignant... feels more like the raw feed than the final edit, and seems to run as long as the time span promised in the title."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 685 words, 04/27/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "I admit it: I believe in Jason Segel. How could I not? He is precisely the person he appears to be: earnest, silly, big-hearted and generous..."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 651 words, 04/27/12
KEY CITIES (13 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "I liked it, and then I didn't, and then I did - which seems just about right for a movie dedicated to examining how even the purest affections can be fatally derailed."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 04/27/12
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the level of emotional honesty is refreshingly high, and the level of writing refreshingly sophisticated. Old doughnuts, new doughnuts, it's a good mix."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 662 words, 04/27/12
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: VERY GOOD(cg) "Like a delectable meal that goes on too long... It's a very good movie. If a tough editor trimmed it from 124 minutes to 90, it would be wonderful."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 526 words, 04/27/12
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...pleasant and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny... There's no reason for it to go on for over two hours, though."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 763 words, 04/27/12
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the movie never seems to be going anywhere in particular... you just want to tell these two nice people to get married already..."(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 346 words, 04/27/12
Shawn Levy, Portland Oregonian: MODERATE(cg) "...lumpy, meandering, overlong, relentlessly phony... All the goodwill that the lead actors bring to the table can't overcome the sheer ordeal of watching this wan story..."(See all of Shawn Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 177 words, 04/27/12
Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "At best, it is very well played by its leads and supporting characters. You can't go wrong with Segel, Blunt, Pratt and Brie, the latter two TV stars who are movie-ready."(See all of Kevin C. Johnson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 310 words, 04/27/12
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times: MODERATE(cg) "Segel and Blunt are charming when allowed to be, and unconvincing when Tom and Violet are doing their best to mess up this relationship."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 534 words, 04/27/12
Adam Graham, Detroit News: GOOD(cg) "...doesn't always work -- some of the supporting characters' storylines feel clipped, and the improvised bits could afford to be tightened -- but the trip to the altar pays off."(See all of Adam Graham's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 288 words, 04/27/12
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: VERY GOOD(cg) "...feels a bit long; it probably doesn't need all of its two-hour-plus running time... And yet the payoff feels all the sweeter for all troubles Tom and Violet have been through."(See all of Connie Ogle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 539 words, 04/27/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: WEAK "There is exactly one unexpected moment in the otherwise drearily predictable movie... The rest is much like the doughnuts that Violet uses in a research experiment: stale..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 557 words, 04/25/12
Katey Rich, Cinema Blend: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...for all the bright moments that break out of the muddle, and the zippy ending that almost rescues it, the film catches a bad case of the meanders..."(See all of Katey Rich's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 677 words, 04/26/12
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "...inventive, funny, and sometimes subversive... Adept at mixing raunchy comedy, inspired shtick and insight into the pathology of relationships..."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 167 words, 05/03/12
Alison Willmore, Movieline: VERY GOOD(cg) "...it's rare to see main characters as grounded and plausible as Tom and Violet are, and when they finally find their way back into each other's arms, it feels earned."(See all of Alison Willmore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 867 words, 04/26/12
Andrew Schenker, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...lightly tweaks the genre's conventions, resulting in an offering that's both intelligent about the way relationships function over time and genuinely funny..."(See all of Andrew Schenker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 617 words, 04/25/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "I admit it: I believe in Jason Segel. How could I not? He is precisely the person he appears to be: earnest, silly, big-hearted and generous..."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 651 words, 04/27/12
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: POOR(cg) "...feels about five years long... There simply never seems to be any reason why lovebirds Tom and Violet can't just get married already."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,060 words, 06/22/12
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...dutifully hits the marks of its genre, but it is also about the unpredictability of life and the everyday challenges of love.... a pleasant surprise."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 962 words, 04/27/12
David Denby, New Yorker: VERY GOOD "...leisurely, episodic but pungent, densely populated, consistently funny, and in the Apatovian spirit, foulmouthed yet tenderhearted."(See all of David Denby's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,072 words, 04/30/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "There are so many detours taken by Nicholas Stoller and co-writer Jason Segel in trying to twist the typical rom-com tropes, they derail as often as the wedding plans..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 699 words, 04/27/12
Dana Stevens, Slate: MODERATE "...like the square older cousin of the 2008 Nicholas Stoller/Jason Segel collaboration 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'.... has all the formlessness with half the fun."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 675 words, 04/26/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
John Anderson, Daily Variety: FAIR "Swings haplessly between poignancy and vulgarity... If a joke works once, it's done at least twice... The pic can't seem to integrate conflict with comedy..."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 831 words, 04/19/12
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD "A warm-hearted look at what happens when a storybook romance hits a speed bump... feels a bit more like something viewers might see in their own lives..."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 616 words, 04/18/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "There are so many detours taken by Nicholas Stoller and co-writer Jason Segel in trying to twist the typical rom-com tropes, they derail as often as the wedding plans..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 699 words, 04/27/12
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: GOOD(cg) "What makes this quite verbose and calculated comedy enjoyable -- up to a point -- is the good rapport between Segel and Blunt, both modest and appealing performers..."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 948 words, 04/24/12
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...dutifully hits the marks of its genre, but it is also about the unpredictability of life and the everyday challenges of love.... a pleasant surprise."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 962 words, 04/27/12
19.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Five-Year Engagement's reviews are separated by an average 19.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Five-Year Engagement (49 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Five-Year Engagement's reviews cover 96.4% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 28,925 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 590 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 4.3 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Five-Year Engagement's reviews on average broke 4.3 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Five-Year Engagement's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Five-Year Engagement (49 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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