The Five-Year Engagement

Right now you can watch The Five-Year Engagement in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Netflix — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jason Segel's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on BINGE and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Five-Year Engagement earns its spot. The jokes in The Five-Year Engagement land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Exactly one year after Tom meets Violet, he surprises her with a wedding ring. By all accounts, Tom and Violet are destined for their happily ever after. However, this engaged couple just keep getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle. Jason Segel and Emily Blunt lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2012. The timing in The Five-Year Engagement is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The Five-Year Engagement is a strong candidate. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Jason Segel's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.