The Five-Year Engagement Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A chef and a psychologist try to get married, but life keeps throwing expired donuts and surprise pregnancies at them, making ‘I do’ seem like ‘I dunno’.

🍿 The Five-Year Engagement: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Proposal and a Detour

Tom, a chef, proposes to Violet, a psychology student, one year after they meet. Violet gets a job offer in Michigan, causing them to postpone their wedding. Tom sacrifices his career to support her, moving with her to Ann Arbor. This sets the stage for a series of delays and challenges to their relationship.

Life in Michigan and Growing Frustration

Violet thrives in her academic environment while Tom struggles to find fulfilling work. He takes a job at a sandwich shop and becomes increasingly unhappy. This leads to tension and arguments as Tom feels his dreams are being put on hold. The move strains their relationship, testing their commitment to each other.

Infidelity and the Breaking Point

As years pass, Tom’s resentment grows. Violet kisses her professor, Winton, leading to a confession and a major rift between her and Tom. Tom’s struggles culminate in a drunken night resulting in frostbite and the loss of a toe. This marks the end of their engagement and the beginning of their separation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Solomon (Jason Segel): A talented chef who sacrifices his career to support his fiancée, leading to frustration and questioning his life choices.
• Violet Barnes (Emily Blunt): An ambitious experimental psychologist whose career aspirations unintentionally delay her wedding and strain her relationship.
• Alex Eilhauer (Chris Pratt): Tom’s best friend and coworker who unexpectedly becomes a father and experiences early marriage before Tom.
• Suzie Barnes-Eilhauer (Alison Brie): Violet’s sister who marries Alex and navigates the challenges of early parenthood and marriage.
• Winton Childs (Rhys Ifans): Violet’s professor who complicates her relationship with Tom by offering career opportunities and romantic temptations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alex Eilhauer: “Seeing you chop onions is depressing. It’s like watching Michael Jordan take a shit.” – Alex says this to Tom, highlighting his frustration and wasted talent while working an unfulfilling job.
• Violet Barnes: “I just want to be married to you.” – Violet expresses her desire to simply be with Tom despite the obstacles and career pressures.
• Tom Solomon: “I’m not gonna wait anymore, Violet. It’s been five years. I love you, but I can’t do this anymore.” – Tom finally expresses his frustration and the toll the extended engagement has taken on him.
• Suzie Barnes-Eilhauer: “(As Elmo) I am very disappointed in you Cookie Monster!” – Suzie and Violet have a serious argument only using Elmo and Cookie Monster voices.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $28,835,528
• Worldwide Gross: $54,169,363

💥 The Five-Year Engagement Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie when it first came out and laughing so hard I cried. Jason Segel and Emily Blunt have amazing chemistry, and even though it’s long, the movie never felt boring to me. The scene with the Cookie Monster and Elmo voices? Pure genius! I know some people didn’t like it, but I found it super relatable and heartwarming. This movie made me really think about the sacrifices we make for the people we love and how relationships can change over time. It is a great rom-com that I can watch over and over again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jason Segel and Emily Blunt”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies with a realistic and slightly cynical edge”
  • “Couples who can relate to the challenges of balancing career and relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content and references”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief drug use”
  • “Mature themes relating to relationship difficulties and infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• FilmPulse.net: “The Five-Year Engagement tries to find a balance between comedy and truth, and after a bit over two hours, almost succeeds. Segel and Stoller don’t force situations for shock value. It has issues, though, and they almost capsize the film. The most glaring one is the running time. The pacing and editing are a near disaster and at times, watching feels more like a chore than a good time.
• Variety Film + TV: “‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Review: Comedy Pros Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell Vow to Ruin One Another’s Weddings

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Chris Pratt’s comedic timing and his character’s raunchy humor.: The film’s relatable depiction of relationship struggles and the sacrifices couples make resonated with many viewers.

Overall Consensus: While some found it too long and uneven, many viewers appreciated the movie’s humor, heart, and relatable portrayal of the challenges in long-term relationships.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alison Brie worked extensively with Emily Blunt to perfect her British accent for the role of Suzie.”
• “The film explores the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with career goals in a relationship, a theme that resonated with many viewers.”
• “The choice of Ann Arbor, Michigan as the location for Violet’s post-doc was intended to contrast with Tom’s culinary ambitions in San Francisco.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Five-Year Engagement?

The Five-Year Engagement is available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, and can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible broadcast options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Five-Year Engagement, you might like these similar films:

• Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008): Shares the same writer and star (Jason Segel) and deals with relationship issues with a comedic approach.
• Knocked Up (2007): Another Judd Apatow production that explores the complexities of relationships and unplanned life events with humor.
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989): A classic rom-com that examines the evolution of a relationship over several years, with a focus on personal growth and change.
• La La Land (2016): Explores the challenges of balancing career ambitions and romantic relationships in a creative field, albeit with a musical twist.

🛒 The Five-Year Engagement Related Products

• The Five-Year Engagement [Blu-ray]: Relive the laughs and love with the Blu-ray edition, featuring extended scenes and behind-the-scenes content.
• The Five-Year Engagement Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with the official movie poster.
• Chef Knife Set, Professional Kitchen Knife Set: Embrace the joy of cooking with a Professional Kitchen Knife Set; it’s inspired by Tom’s passion for culinary arts.
• How I Met Your Mother: The Complete Series [DVD]: Enjoy Jason Segel’s work on ‘How I Met Your Mother’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Five-Year Engagement features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)” – performed by Kevin Rowland & Dexys Midnight Runners
• “Cucurrucucu Paloma” – performed by Various

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Final Cut: Alison Brie & Jason Segel (Part 3) – 5 Year Engagement (Cinemax)

Curious about the chemistry between Alison Brie and Jason Segel in ‘The Five-Year Engagement’? Check out this behind-the-scenes clip from Cinemax for a fun and insightful look at their dynamic during filming!

The Five Year Engagement movie review

Not sure if ‘The Five-Year Engagement’ is worth your time? Check out this honest and entertaining review by Jeremy Jahns, who breaks down the film’s pros and cons with his trademark wit and insight.

“The Five Year Engagement” – Cu Cu Rru Cu Cu Paloma Performed by Chris Pratt & Alison Brie

Get ready for a musical treat! This clip from ‘The Five-Year Engagement’ features Chris Pratt and Alison Brie performing ‘Cu Cu Rru Cu Cu Paloma’ with undeniable charm and chemistry. It’s a perfect blend of humor and romance that will leave you smiling.

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