Movie Review: They Came Together

This movie is way too aware of how funny they’re trying to be all the while failing to elicit a single laugh. The punch lines lack any sort of rhythm, the jokes are dragged out longer than their shelf life, and despite how self-satisfied the film seems with their meta jokes, it’s too poorly done to deserve the air of arrogance. In order to satirize an entire genre of film, you better have a hilarious film on your hands.

We get it–the majority of modern romantic comedies rely on hackneyed plot points and overtly simplified character personality traits and poking fun at something that everyone is already in on the joke about is safe. Parody works in small doses and when it’s written with nuance and a well balanced mix of jokes and storyline. They Came Together is one joke after another and with no laughter in between.

The storyline (if I’m forced to call it that) is centered on Joel (Paul Rudd) and Molly (Amy Poehler), who are recounting the story of how they met and fell in love. They warn their friends before telling their tale that it’s a little cliché–might I add that dropping the punch line before telling the joke is poor planning. When they first meet they hate each other because Joel works for a company that is trying to run Molly’s out of business. However, they grow to love each other despite that inconvenience. Twists and turns get in the way of their immediate happiness, but like all rom-coms, there’s a happy ending to be had, they just need to get there first. They need to overcome overbearing, white supremacist parents, cold ex-girlfriends and a crazy ex-husband released from jail.

There is a mess of comedic talent in this film with David Wain having some of the most popular sitcom stars at his arsenal and he uses them all so fleetingly and as such obvious cameo appearances that is lessens  the appeal of their arrival. However the most damning of the misuse is over Poehler and Rudd. Rudd is such a likeable presence in real life that it’s astounding to see how he is so often written as whiny, pompous or downright unlikeable characters. Poehler is currently playing one of the best characters on television as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation, and this film doesn’t even begin to touch the talent that she possesses.

The comedy is broad and is written as if it were destined for an SNL skit. The way it was performed–big and obvious–to the way it was directed–with bright lighting and lacking invention–all of it looks as if it should have ended up on a soundstage in New York.

Wain is best known for his cult favorite Wet Hot American Summer which despite being poorly received initially at least earned some laughs. After not laughing once during They Came Together, I’m having a hard time thinking of anything positive that could have been the films saving attributes.

There are some incredibly talented people in this film which only demonstrates that even talented people have bad ideas. Wain could have made a great film with Rudd and Poehler as charismatic leads instead of using them as nothing more than joke delivery. See something else this weekend; this film will only frustrate you.

4/10