I Give It a Year Directed by: Dan Mazer Starring: Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Stephen Merchant Rating: R Release Date: August 9, 2013 (available now on demand)
Trailer Score: 7/10
Thoughts by TSR: When I went to watch this trailer for I Give It a Year I was expecting a pretty standard romantic comedy, so the lack of romance and some of the slightly vulgar stuff came as a surprise. (If I had done my homework I'd have known it was rated R, but never mind that!) The idea of a romantic comedy riff by one of the writers of Borat could be interesting, so hopefully the tones don’t clash too much in the full film.
Much of this trailer’s success can be chalked up to the endlessly likable cast. I adore Rose Byrne (I still say Byrne and Wiig were best in show in Bridesmaids), and she makes a nice unhappy couple with Rafe Spall. The MVP of the trailer for me is probably Stephen Merchant. He starts the trailer on a funny note with his inappropriate wedding toast, and closes it on an equally high note talking about how he “accidentally” walked in on Byrne changing. Minnie Driver and Jason Flemyng during the charades sequence is another highlight. And, once I realized she wasn't actually in The King’s Speech, I was able to enjoy the fun moment or two from Olivia Colman as the marriage counselor. My biggest issue is the other romantic interests for the two main characters. Anna Faris and Simon Baker are both perfectly likable actors, I’m just worried they’ll feel shoehorned in. With two unhappy couples on display, I Give It a Year could potentially take on some real issues couples face. The trailer instead focuses on the laughs, and they mostly work. All in all, this might be an (anti-)romantic comedy worth giving a look.