In a twist on the usual romantic comedy plot, I Give It a Year starts out with the perfect wedding, and then traces the couple’s (Rafe Spall and Rose Byrne) adventurous first year of marriage. They have married after a brief infatuation, and it turns out that they aren’t a great fit. It becomes rapidly apparent that she is more well suited with her new client (Simon Baker), and his true soul mate is his ex-girlfriend (Anna Faris).
Of course, this is a romantic comedy, so be prepared for some silliness and some implausibility. But I give it credit for an original story, and it’s mostly entertaining, with some moments of hilarity. Anna Faris is brilliant in her character’s earnest but futile attempt to master the acrobatics required in a three-way sexual encounter. And it’s very funny when the young groom realizes that the honeymoon photos that the bride is showing her parents includes some naughty bits.
I especially enjoyed the fine dramatic actress Olivia Colman (Tyrannosaur, Broadchurch, The Iron Lady) playing broadly against type as the worst imaginable marriage counselor (she interrupts a session to take a call on her cell phone and scream abuse at her husband). As in the very best comedy, Colman plays it absolutely straight as she, in turn, violates every professional precept.