I Give It a Year

Last updated
I Give It a Year
I Give It a Year UK Poster.jpg
UK release poster
Directed by Dan Mazer
Written byDan Mazer
Produced by Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Kris Thykier
Starring
Cinematography Ben Davis
Edited byTony Cranstoun
Music by Ilan Eshkeri
Production
companies
Distributed by StudioCanal
Release date
  • 8 February 2013 (2013-02-08)(United Kingdom)
Running time
97 minutes [1]
CountriesUnited Kingdom
France
LanguageEnglish
Budget€12.7 million [2]
Box office$28.2 million [3]

I Give It a Year is a 2013 romantic comedy film, written and directed by Dan Mazer in his directorial debut. It stars Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Anna Faris and Simon Baker. Set and filmed in London, it was released on 8 February 2013.

Contents

Mazer was previously known for co-writing the Sacha Baron Cohen films Borat and Brüno .

Plot

Ambitious advertising executive Nat and struggling writer Josh fall in love at first sight at a party. After seven months together they decide to marry. The film highlights their struggles during their first year of marriage, switching back and forth from flashbacks of the year to a marriage-guidance counsellor's office. Their wedding goes as planned despite many friends' commenting that the marriage will not last, an embarrassing best man's speech, and a coughing priest.

When Nat returns to work after the honeymoon, she has to set up a presentation for Guy, an American who wants to rebrand his solvent business. Her co-workers tell her not to let him know she is married so they can secure his business.

Later, Josh and Nat throw a dinner party to use their wedding gifts. Some of their differences are highlighted when talking about the honeymoon in Morocco; Nat didn't enjoy the leather museum whereas Josh remembers it as interesting. When the topic changes to Chloe, Josh's former flame, Nat discovers they never officially broke up when she went to Africa for four years. In the kitchen, Chloe apologises to Nat for not realising she didn't know. The women talk about the constrictions of marriage. Nat's sister Naomi has issues with her own husband's annoying habits. Josh's best man Danny asks Chloe out but is rebuffed.

At Christmas, Nat tries to discourage Josh from accompanying her to a work party so she can flirt with Guy, but he is determined, irritating her. At the party, he dances embarrassingly and stands next to a poster he can joke about during the night. When he approaches Nat while she is talking with Guy, she does not reveal he is her husband. Guy attempts to shake him off, believing Josh is a nuisance. He asks her to dinner, and Nat declines. Annoyed at Josh for embarrassing her at the party, she heads home without him.

While Nat and Josh were at her party, Chloe is shown having dinner with her colleagues at an Indian restaurant. She later almost ends up in a threesome with the guy she was dating and a female coworker. Chloe decides she does not want to have one and leaves. The next day she calls Josh, who comes over to comfort her. They go Christmas shopping for Nat's present in a lingerie shop. Chloe decides to try on a set of underwear and can't fasten the bra, so Josh comes in to help. They get caught up in the moment and kiss. During this time, Nat is having a business meeting with Guy who decides to profess his feelings for her with a violinist and a dove flying around. She informs him she is married and that she needs to be with someone safe even though she wants to be with him. They both leave the hotel and shop and run into each other where Guy learns her husband is the annoying one from her party. Josh suggest that Guy and Chloe have a double date with them since they're both from America.

They meet at a bar and play pool. They all start showing signs of jealousy and trying to make each other jealous while playing pool. The night ends with them all leaving together and Nat telling Guy she needs to discuss some work things with him and Josh helps Chloe hail a taxicab. They start fighting about how Chloe can't handle seeing Josh with Nat because she is in love with him and always was and that she can't see him any longer. Nat and Guy are walking and she shoves him into a door way and they start kissing passionately. Guy makes a comment about how nice her underwear are. The same pair that Chloe was wearing when she kisses Josh. Nat tells Guy to rip the bra when he can't get it off. Later that night Nat comes home and tells Josh they need to talk and that something is off in their marriage to which he agrees. They go to marriage counseling where the counsellor suggest that they take the next 3 months to really enjoy each other and be the best for each other. They show them trying to do that but you can tell they both still aren't happy in their marriage.

They finally make it to their first anniversary and they will be going out to celebrate later. Josh hurriedly leaves and says he will meet her at the restaurant. It's shown Josh driving to Chloe's house where he sees Guy and Chloe leaving her apartment to go on a trip together. Nat is at home contemplating calling Guy.

Josh arrives at the restaurant which ends up being a surprise party with their immediate family being there. He tells Nat he thinks she is the perfect wife, just not for him. He asks for a divorce and she immediately and delightedly agrees. They rejoice at the situation and immediately leave the party one after the other.

Meanwhile, Guy and Chloe are at the railway station waiting to go to Paris on a romantic trip. Josh finds them, professing his love for Chloe. When it's discovered that he split up with Nat, they are shocked. Nat appears behind Josh, who awkwardly assumed he is the one she wants to speak to, but she is there for Guy. After a short exchange they happily discuss how perfect Guy and Chloe are for them. In the end, Chloe and Guy mutually break up. Nat ends up kissing Guy and Chloe shares a kiss with Josh.

Cast

Actor Simon Baker and director Dan Mazer in Paris at the film's French premiere, April 2013. I Give it a year Paris premiere.jpg
Actor Simon Baker and director Dan Mazer in Paris at the film's French premiere, April 2013.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 51%, with an average rating of 5.50/10, based on 82 reviews. The website's consensus for the film reads, "It's nowhere near as inventive as its reverse rom-com premise might suggest, but I Give It a Year is disarmingly frank -- and often quite funny." [4] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 50% based on reviews from 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [5]

Peter Keough of The Boston Globe wrote "Though Mazer's ambition is laudable, he has not yet integrated the comedy of manners into the comedy of no manners." [6] Stephanie Merry of The Washington Post wrote "In addition to some trite set pieces, writer-director Dan Mazer serves up nothing more than conspicuous cynicism masquerading as comedy." [7]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote: "The result is funny and plausible, with a fair bit of newly modish Bridesmaidsy bad taste, though I kept getting the sense that the romcom template meant Mazer couldn't really let rip with pure comedy pessimism and cynicism in the way he might have liked." [8] Olly Richards of Empire wrote: "The jokes are strong and delivered by a very talented cast, but the heart isn't there. It's easy to laugh, but hard to care." [9]

Box office

The film accumulated a total domestic gross of $34,657 with it only generating $5,436 on its opening weekend, ranking it at #77. It went on gross a worldwide total of $28,234,657. [3]

Home media

I Give It a Year was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 3, 2013.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Geller</span> Fictional character from the American sitcom Friends

Ross Geller, portrayed by David Schwimmer, is one of the six main characters of the NBC sitcom Friends. Ross is considered by many to be the most intelligent member of the group and is noted for his goofy but lovable demeanor. His relationship with Rachel Green was included in TV Guide's list of the best TV couples of all time, as well as Entertainment Weekly's "30 Best 'Will They/Won't They?' TV Couples". Kevin Bright, who was one of the executive producers of the show, had worked with Schwimmer before, so the writers were already developing Ross's character in Schwimmer's voice. Hence, Schwimmer was the first person to be cast on the show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sally Webster</span> Fictional character from Coronation Street

Sally Metcalfe is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Sally Dynevor. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 27 January 1986, when Kevin Webster drove past her in his van and accidentally splashed her while she was waiting for a bus. Her notable storylines have seen her have an on-and-off relationship and marriage with Kevin, becoming the victim of domestic violence by Greg Kelly and her attempts to become the pillar of the community and annoy Janice Battersby in the process. During her time on the soap, she has also tried to impress her bosses Bet Lynch, Alf Roberts, Mike Baldwin, Paul Connor and Carla Connor and gain promotions. In 2009, Sally was diagnosed with Breast cancer; whilst portraying the storyline, Dynevor herself found out that she also had breast cancer, and claimed that the storyline had potentially saved her life. Following a second divorce from Kevin, the character embarks on a relationship with Tim Metcalfe and goes on to marry him, survives a minibus crash, begins a political career on the local council and later progresses to become the Mayor, becomes the victim of an internet troll, is wrongfully imprisoned for fraud and is injured when the roof collapses at the factory.

<i>Me Without You</i> (film) 2001 British film

Me Without You is a 2001 British film starring Anna Friel, Michelle Williams, and Oliver Milburn, and written and directed by Sandra Goldbacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhys Ashworth</span> UK soap opera character, created 2005

Rhys Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Andrew Moss. He made his first on-screen appearance in September 2005. Rhys was killed off in the Enjoy The Ride storyline in an episode airing on 15 November 2012 and the character departed on 16 November 2012. Rhys made a return on 27 June 2014 as part of his ex-girlfriend Cindy Cunningham's storyline about her bipolar disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Ashworth</span> UK soap opera character, created 2005

Josh Ashworth, played by Sonny Flood, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks. His first appearance was on 3 October 2005. Josh's storylines have included attempted murder, underage sex, drugs, drinking and joyriding. Flood returned to filming as Josh for three episodes airing in May and August 2012 after a two-year break.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Austin</span> Soap opera character

Xavier Austin is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by David Jones-Roberts. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 20 November 2008. Jones-Roberts was cast in the role after previously auditioning for the roles of four other characters. Xavier has been portrayed as a caring character who has had to look after his family. Many of his storylines have been centred on his relationship with Ruby Buckton. Xavier departed on 3 July 2012, but made a brief return from 23 to 24 April 2013, for the funeral of his mother, Gina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duncan Button</span> Soap opera character

Duncan Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Dean Aspen. He debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited as Button. In May 2011, it was announced that Aspen had quit his role and Duncan departed the series on 11 November 2011. Aspen reprised his role as Duncan for the sixth series of Hollyoaks Later in October 2013.

<i>Movie 43</i> 2013 American anthology comedy film

Movie 43 is a 2013 American anthology comedy film conceived by producer Charles B. Wessler. The film features fourteen different storylines, each one by a different director, including Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin Dunne, Patrik Forsberg, James Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Brett Ratner, Will Graham, and Jonathan van Tulleken. It stars an ensemble cast that is led by Banks, Kristen Bell, Halle Berry, Gerard Butler, Seth MacFarlane, Leslie Bibb, Kate Bosworth, Josh Duhamel, Anna Faris, Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Knoxville, Justin Long, Jeremy Allen White, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Grace Moretz, Chris Pratt, Liev Schreiber, Seann William Scott, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts and Kate Winslet.

<i>As Cool as I Am</i> (film) 2013 American film

As Cool as I Am is a 2013 American comedy-drama film directed by Max Mayer. It is based on the novel of the same name by Pete Fromm. Claire Danes, Sarah Bolger and James Marsden star as the Diamond family. Filming on the adaptation began in New Mexico in May 2011. The film was released in the United States on June 21, 2013, by IFC Films.

Brad Willis (<i>Neighbours</i>) Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Brad Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 31 October 1989. The character was initially played by Benjamin Mitchell, before Scott Michaelson took over the role two years later. Brad was re-introduced alongside his sister, Gaby, during a period of roller coaster ratings for the show. Michaelson revealed that as soon as he learnt he had won the role of Brad, he went surfing five days in a row, as he knew he was going to be busy over the upcoming months. Michaelson signed a new twelve-month contract with Neighbours in October 1992 and a year later, he announced he would be leaving the soap. Michaelson filmed his final scenes in November and departed on 15 December 1993.

<i>Delicacy</i> (film) 2011 French film

Delicacy is a 2011 French romantic comedy-drama directed by David and Stéphane Foenkinos based on a novel of the same name by David Foenkinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachlan Fraser</span> Soap opera character

Lachlan "Lachie" Fraser is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Richard Grieve. He made his screen debut on 19 March 1997 and last appeared on 27 November 1998. He joined the show after previously appearing in rival soap opera Neighbours. Lachlan is introduced as a new doctor working at Summer Bay's local hospital. Grieve had to research the profession and received help from an on-set medical advisor. Lachlan is characterised as a sweet and gentle person who is brilliant at medicine.

<i>The F Word</i> (2013 film) Film by Michael Dowse

The F Word is a 2013 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Dowse from a screenplay by Elan Mastai, based on the play Toothpaste and Cigars by TJ Dawe and Michael Rinaldi, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park, Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, and Rafe Spall. It focuses on two young people who meet for the first time and, since she has a boyfriend, decide to be "friends."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imogen Willis</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Imogen Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ariel Kaplan. The actor was cast in the role after a quick process, in which she auditioned once and attended a screen test. She began filming her first scenes in early February 2013. Kaplan's character and her family were created and introduced to Neighbours, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show's cast and renewed focus on family units within the show. She made her first screen appearance during "Episode 6646", which was broadcast on 20 May 2013. Kaplan returned in the first episode of the 2023 Neighbours revival.

<i>Dude</i> (film) 2018 American film

Dude is a 2018 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Olivia Milch and written by Milch and Kendall McKinnon. The film stars Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina, Austin Butler and Michaela Watkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloe Brennan</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Chloe Brennan is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by April Rose Pengilly. Pengilly auditioned for the role without knowing anything about the character. Not long after she made plans to move to Los Angeles, Pengilly was invited for a screen test and she was offered the part of Chloe a week later. Neighbours marks her first regular television role, and she made her debut during the episode broadcast on 27 March 2018. Chloe is the sister of the established Brennan brothers, and had often been mentioned on-screen by her family prior to her arrival. Chloe is portrayed as "well-meaning", "carefree" and "fun-loving". She wants to get along with everyone and live her life to the fullest. However, she also suffers from intimacy and "daddy issues", due to her upbringing which saw her raised by her mother following her parents' separation.

Harlow Robinson (<i>Neighbours</i>) Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Harlow Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jemma Donovan. Harlow is introduced as an extension of the Robinson family, the secret daughter of Robert Robinson and the granddaughter of Paul Robinson. Donovan is also the real life daughter of Jason Donovan, who played Harlow's great uncle, Scott. Donovan auditioned for the role after a four-year break from acting and successfully got the role of Harlow, which producers then slightly tweaked to suit her. Donovan's casting announcement was made in March when she began filming, and she debuted on screens on 15 July 2019. Harlow is described as head strong, sensible and clever, and Donovan revealed that she liked her character. Donovan's co-star, Dennis, also explained that the character had some reservations about her new secret family initially. Harlow's early storylines involve a feud with Roxy Willis and a reunion with her mother, Prudence Wallace. Harlow's introduction was described as similar to Donovan's story of moving from London to Melbourne.

<i>Long Story Short</i> (2021 film) 2021 Australian romantic comedy film

Long Story Short is a 2021 Australian romantic comedy film written and directed by Josh Lawson about a man who wakes up the morning after his wedding to discover that every few minutes he is jumping forward in time. Produced by See Pictures, with financial backing by StudioCanal, Screen Australia, Create NSW and Spectrum Films, it was released on 11 February 2021 in Australia by StudioCanal and in the United States by Saban Films on 2 July 2021. It is loosely based on the Indian film Baar Baar Dekho (2016).

References

  1. ↑ "I GIVE IT A YEAR". British Board of Film Classification. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "I Give It A Year (2013) - JPBox-Office". www.jpbox-office.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  3. 1 2 "I Give It a Year (2013)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  4. ↑ "I Give It a Year (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. ↑ "I Give It a Year". Metacritic . Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  6. ↑ Keogh, Peter (15 August 2013). "In 'I Give It a Year,' romance meets raunch". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. ↑ Merry, Stephanie (15 August 2013). "'I Give It a Year' movie review". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (7 February 2013). "I Give It a Year – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  9. ↑ Olly Richards (12 December 2012). "I Give It A Year". Empire .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.