Director: David Wain
Starring: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bill Hadar, Ellie Kemper, Cobie Smulders, Ed Helms and Jack McBrayer.
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: Joel (Rudd) is an executive at a confectionery corporation that is trying to close down Molly (Poehler)’s small candy shop, not far away from the company. When the unlikely pair meet, they take an instant dislike to each other due to obvious circumstances with their businesses.
Director David Wain shines a refreshing light on the romantic comedies that have never stopped surfacing, with his spoof film THEY CAME TOGETHER. Just like other spoof films before it, Wain’s absurd observations of the romantic genre is vaguely entertaining. The production values, story-line (YOU’VE GOT MAIL), locations and characters are almost exactly the same, but far more exaggerated. In many ways, the film reminds us of the elements we might hate or find cringe worthy in a lot of romantic comedies. In the scene where we are introduced to Molly and her candy store, the set and mood gives off a happy inducing vibe, that feels as if you are watching an adult version of CBEEBIES’ BALAMORY. Combined with this and the couple’s purposeful puke inducing conversations – you do start to get annoyed with the film itself. Also, yourself for guiltily watching the genre like its a casual night out on the town.
There are some interesting postmodern moments, especially when subtitles appear on the screen during a “silent” conversation at dinner with Joel’s friends. Bob (Jason Mantzoukas) sneezes and the letters on the screen fall on the table, that look like magnets you put on the refrigerator. It is these moments that are disappointingly undermined, due to the rest of the film rattling on and not going anywhere, like an unwelcome guest you want to kick out the front door.
Overall, THEY CAME TOGETHER shows how formulaic the romantic comedy genre has become in their attitudes to race and class. Sadly the film is about 5 years too late and is a little too postmodern for its own good.
[usr=2] THEY CAME TOGETHER is available on DVD and digital download on October 27th.
