A British rom com from Working Title who brought us “Four Weddings” and “Notting Hill”. The film starts with a wedding of potentially ill suited partners, hence the title and then tells the story after the honeymoon is over.

Josh (Rafe Spall) and Nat (Rosie Byrne) are the smart London couple in question, together with the doubting sister in law and her husband, Minnie Driver and Jason Flemyng respectively. Josh is helped to steer through the pitfalls of the first year of marriage, by his best man Danny (Merchant). The term ‘helped’ is used in the loosest sense possible, Danny being every weddings worst nightmare.

Later, temptation lies in wait for both partners, Josh still has a thing for his best friend and erstwhile lover Chloe (Anna Faris) and Nat goes all wobbly legs over her dashing new client Guy (Simon Baker).

Before you can say first anniversary, the couple are in therapy hoping to save their relationship. Nat is driven, whilst self centred and childish Josh, pretends to write stuff that no-one actually wants to read, not the most promising of starts.

This is a rom com with the emphasis on the comedy, which is just as well, as there is relatively little chemistry going on, apart from a few sparks between Nat and Guy. As a comedy this works well, with some good oneliners and sight gags that should bring a laugh to most audiences. Olivia Coleman as Linda the sex counsellor, making the most of a relatively brief role but managing to steal all the best laughs. Note her inspection of a surrogate doll and later telephone conversation, one might suggest her counselling style is, “do as I say not as I do”.

Real life long term married couples will spot some truths in the best lines but there is something for everyone. Best friend Danny hits and misses the funny bone in equal measure and may not be to all tastes, the humour overall is risqué but thankfully not in Seth Rogan territory.

The girls do the heavy lifting acting wise, Baker does his usual suave, too good to be true role, which on this occasion suits the story well. Spall comes across as a poor man’s Ryan Reynolds and on occasion presents a rather self centred character that is hard to empathise with. The film could have been better, the direction is flat and the story takes few risks.

Whilst not one of the best and perhaps adding nothing to the genre, this is an enjoyable fun comedy.

Interestingly, do couples ever have their climactic run to catch, train, boat plane moment without it raining, is there a rule somewhere that forbids dry endings?

Summary

A middle of the road English rom-com, heavy on the comedy with some good laughs, providing an ideal date movie.

Not a classic perhaps but a perfectly enjoyable and undemanding evenings entertainment