They Came Together Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two people hate each other, then realize they are in a romantic comedy, so they awkwardly fulfill all the requirements until the credits roll.

🍿 They Came Together: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Romantic Comedy Setup

The film begins with Joel and Molly recounting their love story to their friends, Kyle and Karen, framing it as a typical romantic comedy. Joel works for a corporate candy company threatening Molly’s independent sweet shop, setting up the classic ‘big business vs. small business’ conflict.

Hate Turns to Love (or Does It?)

Joel and Molly initially dislike each other, embodying common rom-com tropes. However, through a series of chance encounters and shared interests, they begin to fall in love. The film exaggerates these moments for comedic effect, highlighting the absurdity of the genre.

The Inevitable Breakup and Reconciliation

Like any good rom-com, Joel and Molly face obstacles that lead to their breakup. These include Joel’s corporate ties, misunderstandings, and interference from ex-partners. The film satirizes the dramatic and often contrived nature of these conflicts. Eventually, they find their way back to each other.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joel (Paul Rudd): A corporate executive who falls for a small business owner he’s tasked to shut down, leading to a series of romantic comedy tropes.
• Molly (Amy Poehler): A quirky candy shop owner who finds herself falling for the corporate executive threatening her livelihood.
• Kyle (Bill Hader): One half of the unhappy couple who listen to Joel and Molly recount their relationship story.
• Karen (Ellie Kemper): The other half of the unhappy couple who prompts Joel and Molly to share their unconventional love story.
• Tiffany (Cobie Smulders): Joel’s attractive but unfulfilling girlfriend, who works in the fashion industry, adding a layer of romantic entanglement.
• Roland (Christopher Meloni): Joel’s demanding boss at the Corporate Candy Company, representing corporate greed and ambition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joel: “It’s like, she owns a small business, I work for a big corporation that’s trying to shut her down. It’s practically a romantic comedy.” – Joel describes their initial situation, highlighting the typical rom-com setup.
• Molly: “I just feel like… you’re a nice guy, but you work for The Man!” – Molly expresses her initial reservations about dating Joel because of his corporate job.
• Joel: “A Cup of Joel. That’s what I’m going to call my coffee shop.” – Joel shares his dream of opening a coffee shop, a common aspirational element in romantic comedies.
• Narrator: “And that’s how they met. It was just like in a movie.” – Narrator’s meta-commentary, emphasizing the over-the-top, cinematic nature of their story.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $166,633
• Worldwide Gross: $215,721

💥 They Came Together Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit, the first time I watched this movie, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It’s so over-the-top and ridiculous! But the more I watched it, the more I appreciated how it pokes fun at all those cheesy rom-coms we secretly love. I found myself laughing out loud at the Halloween party scene and the whole bit with her white supremacist parents. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something silly and self-aware, give it a shot. Just don’t take it too seriously!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler”
  • “Viewers who enjoy absurdist humor”
  • “People who appreciate parodies of romantic comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Brief violence”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “”They Came Together” relentlessly satirizes rom-com tropes, occasionally landing sharp blows amidst the absurdity. While the humor can be hit-or-miss, Rudd and Poehler’s commitment to the bit is undeniable, making it a worthwhile watch for genre aficionados.
• The A.V. Club: “The film’s self-awareness is both its strength and weakness. While it gleefully skewers rom-com clichés, it sometimes relies too heavily on them, resulting in a predictable, albeit amusing, experience. The cast is game, but the material occasionally feels strained.
• Variety: “David Wain’s latest offering is a mixed bag of comedic brilliance and utter silliness. “They Came Together” hits its mark when it delivers genuinely funny takes on rom-com conventions, but frequently descends into cringe-worthy territory. Ultimately, the film is only funny to dedicated audiences.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected cameos and absurd situations kept me laughing throughout the entire movie.: Most viewers enjoyed the self-aware humor and appreciated the movie’s willingness to embrace absurdity.

Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd have amazing chemistry together and their performances were hilarious.: Many viewers praised the performances of the lead actors, highlighting their comedic timing and chemistry.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing parody that either delights with its absurdity or frustrates with its reliance on clichés, depending on the viewer’s tolerance for self-aware humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a parody of romantic comedies, playing on and exaggerating common tropes and clichés of the genre.”
• “Many of the cast members have worked together in previous projects, including ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ and various television shows.”
• “The movie features numerous cameos from well-known comedians, adding to the comedic ensemble.”
• “The film’s humor is often absurd and self-aware, breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging its own silliness.”

🖥️ How to Watch They Came Together?

They Came Together is currently available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, and Apple TV. Check listings for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary based on your region. Consider checking JustWatch for updated streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed They Came Together, you might like these similar films:

• Wet Hot American Summer (2001): Shares similar absurdist humor and many of the same cast members.
• Airplane! (1980): Classic parody film that sets the standard for over-the-top comedic spoofs.
• Not Another Teen Movie (2001): Another parody film which takes aim at the teen movie genre.
• Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007): A satirical take on music biopics, similar to the way ‘They Came Together’ parodies rom-coms.

🛒 They Came Together Related Products

• They Came Together [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in high definition and relive the awkward hilarity anytime you want.
• Parks and Recreation: The Complete Series: Enjoy more of Amy Poehler’s comedic genius in this beloved TV show.
• I Love You, Man [Blu-ray]: Another hilarious movie that showcases Paul Rudd’s amazing comedic skills.
• Wet Hot American Summer [DVD]:  Another movie that involves a couple of actors in They Came Together (Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd) with the same director (David Wain)

🎧 Soundtrack

They Came Together features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Swing It Easy” – performed by Ron Komie and Mark Heyes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They Came Together: “Taking A Shower Guy Costume”

Ever wonder what a ‘taking a shower guy costume’ looks like? This hilariously bizarre clip from ‘They Came Together’ is pure comedic gold. Honestly, you have to see it to believe it!

✨ Rate