I Give It a Year Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "I Give It a Year" on Blu-ray showcases the film's visual elements with mixed results. Shot on the Arri Alexa by cinematographer Ben Davis, the film beautifully captures a blend of traditional romantic film textures and contemporary digital clarity. The 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray from Magnolia Home Entertainment retains the sharpness and color saturation expected from a digitally originated production. Night scenes exhibit deep blacks, and the diverse locales, from clubs to restaurants to factories, are vibrantly presented. The generous average bitrate of 29.28 Mbps ensures minimal compression artifacts, preserving the visual intricacies throughout the film.

However, certain directorial choices detract from the overall viewing experience. An unfortunate use of soft focus in numerous scenes creates a glowing effect that diminishes potential detail, invoking a visual style reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers movie. This heavy contrast, favoring the bright end, occasionally obscures finer details. Additionally, while club and party scenes are visually striking with their bright and colorful lighting, there is noticeable color bleeding which affects the overall image integrity.

Unexpectedly, digital noise appears sporadically throughout the film starting from the opening sequence, which can be distracting. While these occurrences are not overwhelming, they are evident enough to catch the viewer's eye. Despite these flaws, the Blu-ray disc still offers a generally pleasing visual experience by maintaining solid performance in areas such as black levels and color palette diversity. For viewers seeking sharpness and nuanced color representation, "I Give It a Year" delivers, albeit with a few caveats.

The Blu-ray release of "I Give It a Year" features an impressive lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. As typical for comedies, the audio mix is primarily front-oriented with a strong emphasis on clear and well-balanced dialogue. This aspect ensures that vocal clarity remains impeccable, maintaining a perfect balance with the film’s lively and often loud musical score by Ilan Eshkeri, known for his work on "Layer Cake" and "Kick-Ass." The track also successfully enhances various environments, such as bustling streets and high-energy restaurant scenes, adding depth to the film’s comedic moments through meticulously placed environmental sounds.

While most effects are concentrated in the front channels, select scenes exhibit dynamic surround activity such as the vivid wedding reception and multiple instances in London's streets. These moments prowess a seamless transition of effects between left to right channels and a notable use of rear channels to enrich the sonic landscape. Additionally, the soundtrack's bass response is commendable, particularly during scenes with club music, effectively utilizing deep bass levels to inject vibrancy. Director Dan Mazer also makes strategic use of accentuated sounds for comedic impact, exemplified in scenes like Guy's comedic efforts to impress Nat.

Overall, the audio presentation is robust, with meticulous attention to both dialogue delivery and comprehensive environmental immersion. Every element from the front-heavy effects to sporadically immersive rear channel ambiance is finely tuned, stretching beyond standard rom-com parameters to provide an engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray of "I Give It a Year" offers a solid array of extras that are both entertaining and illuminating. Highlights include a blooper reel showcasing the challenges of maintaining composure during comedic scenes, and outtakes that provide amusing insights into the filming process, including the unique difficulties of working with live animals. The deleted and extended scenes, although not particularly groundbreaking, add additional humor, especially the wedding night sequence. The making-of featurettes, while brief and somewhat promotional, offer a glimpse into the film's thematic focus on relationships and character development. Both cast and crew interviews, whether standard or international, offer in-depth perspectives although the editing out of questions can sometimes make them feel fragmented.

Extras included in this disc:

• Blooper Reel: Featuring humorous and candid moments from the shoot.
• Outtakes: The Doves: A behind-the-scenes look at the challenges with live animals.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Seven scenes offering additional laughs.
• Making of I Give It a Year: Relationships & Marriages: Explores the film's subject matter.
• Making of I Give It a Year: The Characters: Focuses on individual characters.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: In-depth interviews with key cast and crew members.
• International Interviews: Lengthier interviews providing additional insights.

"I Give It a Year" offers a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre by diving into the post-marriage struggles of a mismatched couple, Nat (Rose Byrne) and Josh (Rafe Spall). Directed by Dan Mazer, the film departs from traditional rom-com formulas by highlighting the couple's incompatibility and failure to connect. The narrative opens with their whirlwind romance and marriage, which quickly devolves into bickering and dissatisfaction. Flashbacks set the stage but lean heavily on depicting their conflicts instead of any precedents of tenderness. This concept, while providing a novel angle, may polarize viewers; some may appreciate the realistic portrayal of a tumultuous relationship, while others might find the pervasive negativity underwhelming.

Mazer’s satirical touch is evident, possibly reflecting his work history with Sacha Baron Cohen, and is bolstered by Working Title Films' robust production credentials. Despite the film’s darker undertones, it features a strong comedic cast, including Stephen Merchant as the groom’s distasteful best man and Minnie Driver as Nat’s spiteful sister. Supporting characters deliver intermittent humor through various awkward, cringe-inducing situations that lightens the otherwise serious tone. However, for audiences expecting a conventional romantic comedy with uplifting moments akin to "Love Actually," the film's persistent cynicism might not resonate well.

The film cleverly plays with rom-com clichés by introducing secondary love interests—Guy Harrap (Simon Baker) for Nat and Chloe (Anna Faris) for Josh—exemplifying what each protagonist actually needs in a partner. These interactions, though comedic at times, also underscore the growing fractures in Nat and Josh’s marriage. Ultimately, "I Give It a Year" provides an edgier, more explicit take on romantic comedies. It will likely appeal to viewers who appreciate offbeat humor and a less idealized portrayal of love, rather than those seeking light-hearted escapism.

"I Give It a Year" is a British rom-com featuring a talented cast and production team known for hits like "Love Actually" and "Borat." The film aims to blend romance and comedy while navigating the turbulent first year of marriage for a newlywed couple. However, this effort results in a darker narrative that feels more like a cautionary drama than a light-hearted romantic comedy. The pessimistic tone and portrayal of marital struggles dominate the storyline, overshadowing any potential charm or wit.

Magnolia's Blu-ray release showcases quality technical features, including notable extras. The video maintains above-average clarity, with only minor softness detracting from the visual experience. The audio, however, suffers from its front-heavy mix, lacking the richness and depth that viewers might expect. The special features are abundant yet lackluster, with nearly an hour of repetitive interviews and uninspired behind-the-scenes content, bloopers, and deleted scenes. Despite the plethora of extras, they fail to elevate the overall value of the Blu-ray package.

In their interviews, some of the cast and the film's producer—but not director Dan Mazer—make extravagant claims about the film's influence on future rom-coms. While it's uncertain if "I Give It a Year" will impact the genre long-term, Mazer has undeniably crafted a film that presents a raw, albeit bleak, perspective on marriage. Although it may not deliver consistent laughs or romantic moments, it stands as a unique entry in its genre. For those seeking a traditional rom-com, this film may disappoint. Nevertheless, its genuine understanding of marital issues makes it worth a watch, making Magnolia's Blu-ray release highly recommended for its honest take on relationships.