Review of They Came Together (2014) by Brett C — 25 May 2015

The romantic comedy genre has grown stale over the years, finding itself in a loop that would become the trademark formula to â~satisfyâ(TM) its audience. At one point, our minds become desensitised by its recycled elements, craving for something more, a film that would change the game once again like Woody Allen in Annie Hall or deliver something inspiring like When Harry Met Sally. I think David Wain and Michael Showalter, the filmâ(TM)s writers, have been sick with the condition of the genre and want to display to their audience the loathing aspects of such a film, and deliver them in a way that is both inspired and satirical.

They Came Together does not attempt to be the ground-breaking feature like Annie Hall, instead it concentrates these elements at their peak and constantly winks back at its viewers, ultimately leaving us with a journey that is superficially predictable but thought-provoking and hilarious at its essence. I have not laughed so abundantly at a romantic comedy since maybe Down With Love; a film that takes on a similar approach but inspired by different elements.

The film thrives in its condensed approach of the genreâ(TM)s familiar stamps, there is so much of it and each subversion attempts to be different from the last, keeping you on your toes in how such a predictable plot point fall into original and unique territory. It also manages to bring hilarious isolated gags that further emphasises the filmâ(TM)s unpredictable execution; take for example Rolandâ(TM)s â~difficultyâ(TM) at the Halloween party, it is spectacular in its construction and does not extend itself far too much for it to be oddly positioned or unbearable in its pushy humour.

However, despite its wonderful qualities, the film doesnâ(TM)t entirely immerse you into the connection of these characters, as some moments do seem genuine in emotion despite its parodying nature; there is a narrative thread that allows its audience to view it with enough seriousness, avoiding the concept or atmosphere of a shrug-worthy sketch. It only puts you in between the chemistry of its characters when it wants to, and distancing the audience when it wants to, a manipulative process that does allow the whole thing feel less rewarding than it should.

They Came Together is triumph due to its clever and direct satire of the overly-recycled genre, but due to the manipulation that Wain attempts on its audience, it falls short from perfection. This is a film that requires an appropriate mindset to appreciate as going into it, fooled by the campy marketing of the film, then one would come out of it sorely disappointed; thankfully that was not the case for me.