There are two genres of movie that the British tend to have the upper hand at. One is the crime thriller (think LOCK STOCK, SNATCH and the more recent WELCOME TO THE PUNCH and even last week’s subtle release BLOOD), and the romantic comedy (FOUR WEDDINGS, NOTTING HILL, LOVE ACTUALLY). The film I GIVE IT A YEAR falls into the latter category, but flips the rom-com on its head as the action kicks off right as the standard run-of-the-mill rom-com would end, a glittering wedding.
I GIVE IT A YEAR introduces a new leading man in Rafe Spall (One Day) as Nate, a struggling novelist, as he marries ambitious, highly strung careerist Nat (Rose Byrne, Bridesmaids) after a whirlwind romance. The excited new couple seems deliriously in love despite their conflicting traits; Josh is a dreamer, Nat is a doer, Josh is cavalier and shambling, Nat is poised and polished, but thesparks between them undoubtedly fly. So far so ‘happily ever after’.
Except, despite the dream coming true, no one – neither family, friends nor even the minister marrying them – believes they can last, and the giddy couple exchange vows to the whispered refrain from the congregation of…”I give It a year.” As the honeymoon fades and they return to real life, they negotiate the pleasures-and more often pitfalls – of their first few months of marriage, and the question is never far away – have they made the right choice? A question soon personified in the form of Josh’s kooky ex girlfriend Chloe (Anna Faris, The Dictator), and Nat’s handsome new American client Guy (Simon Baker, The Mentalist) who maybe offer very attractive alternatives. With their first anniversary just around the corner, neither wants to be the first to give up, but will they make it?
The Hollywood News caught up with writer/ director Dan Mazer this past week, and here is the debut helmer talking about the film with our own Anouska Davies.
I GIVE IT A YEAR hits UK DVD and Blu-Ray today, Monday 3rd June.
Source: THN
