What happens when you meet someone, and you fall in love with the situation instead of with that person? You begin an ill-fated marriage, that is what happens.

I Give It A Year explores that decision -and what comes afterwards- in the most hilarious way possible. People will probably go to see it thinking it’s a typical romantic comedy, but it goes beyond that: the humour in this film can be charming and crude at the same time, and that is the best thing about this movie. After all, it has the producers of Love Actually and the writer of Borat, Dan Mazer (who makes his directorial debut with this one).

Of course, it helps to have a bunch of good actors who can also deliver funny performances. The main couple is formed by Rafe Spall and Rose Byrne as Josh and Nat. Spall, son of legendary actor Timothy, had a spectacular run last year at London’s West End with Constellations, and in this film, he shows just how good he can be playing a charming fool (although Simon Baker is way more charming, but more on that later). Byrne, on her behalf, had already proven that she could be comical with Bridesmaids, and here she plays a similar role in which she fits perfectly.

And the supporting characters are just as good. On Josh’s side, there’s Stephen Merchant as Dan, his best friend (and best man). His speech during the wedding reception is priceless, and his many appearances throughout the film raise the comicalness. Anna Faris plays Chloe, the ex-girlfriend turned best friend. It’s clear since minute one that she still has feelings for him, and you can see how that develops during the movie. Faris has a gift for comedy, and that is shown in her scenes, where she delivers her lines with a perfect deadpan act. It’s a pity that she has had some obvious surgery on her face, because she cannot gesticulate as much now.

On Nat’s side, Minnie Driver steals the thunder. She is absolutely perfect, a joy to have around, and her character Naomi (Nat’s sister) serves the purpose of showing what is like to be married for a long, long time. And then we have Simon Baker (extra points for the film just for that -I’m a huge fan of The Mentalist-) as Guy, a successful entrepreneur who starts making business with Nat, and falls for her instantly, unaware that she is married. As I said before, Baker’s character is more charming than Spall’s, but it is my belief that this is due to the actor. Baker has a charisma that Spall just cannot pull off, but that’s probably why they were chosen to play those specific roles. And that’s all I will say.

In short, it has many funny moments (impossible to forget the scene with the digital frame…So Borat) and you will not be disappointed  with a lovely end that I really enjoyed (and which I found myself wanting the whole time). I had been told beforehand that it was weak. The people who said that couldn’t be more wrong.

Oh, and like Nat, I hate pigeons too. Disgusting.