Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- awkward
- warm
- date night
- rom com marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film lively, original, and frequently funny, with believable chemistry and a strong ensemble despite an uneven, scattershot structure.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tom and Violet remain engaged for years as career changes, relocation, and dissatisfaction repeatedly defer their wedding.
Tom gives up a chef opportunity to support Violet's post-doctoral move, while her academic success contrasts with his underemployment.
The film places Tom and Violet's increasingly strained engagement within broad, uncomfortable comic situations and candid couple arguments.
The central conflict grows from relocation, work frustration, changing ambitions, and the accumulated pressure of everyday compromise.
Films like The Five-Year Engagement, and why
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Shares a relationship-centered romantic comedy structure, warm chemistry, adult commitment conflicts, and awkward ensemble humor.
Knocked Up
Shares Apatow-style comedy, relationship strain, emotional candor, and an extended courtship shaped by personal immaturity.
Enough Said
Shares a grounded romantic comedy tone, long-term partnership challenges, and bittersweet reflections on compatibility and commitment.
Friends with Kids
Shares witty ensemble comedy, career-versus-relationship tension, and an affectionate but unsentimental treatment of modern romance.
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicholas Stoller
- Release Date
- 2012-04-27
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (1439)
Cast
- Jason Segel
- Emily Blunt
- Rhys Ifans
- Chris Pratt
- Alison Brie
- Jacki Weaver
- Jim Piddock
- David Paymer
- Mimi Kennedy
- Mindy Kaling
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Five-Year Engagement about?
- A long engagement strains an affectionate couple when one partner's academic ascent leaves the other questioning what he sacrificed for their future.
- What is The Five-Year Engagement like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Five-Year Engagement as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Five-Year Engagement violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Five-Year Engagement.
- What did critics think of The Five-Year Engagement?
- Critics broadly found the film lively, original, and frequently funny, with believable chemistry and a strong ensemble despite an uneven, scattershot structure.
- Which films are like The Five-Year Engagement?
- Films with a similar feel include Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, Enough Said, and Friends with Kids.
- How long is The Five-Year Engagement?
- The Five-Year Engagement runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Five-Year Engagement?
- In United States, The Five-Year Engagement is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
