[Review] They Came Together

Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler star in this romantic comedy parody. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces: Ed Helms, Bill Hader, Melanie Lynskey, Kenan Thompson, and Michael Ian Black. I'll keep the cameos a secret.

Opening up during a double-date, Joel (Rudd) and Molly (Poehler) are asked how they originally met. Then, the flashback begins...

They Came Together straight up mocks all the cliches/scenes/montages that have flooded romantic comedies over the years. But it's not in a cynical way; it's more of a fun and loving way. There's an obligatory outdoor basketball court scene where Joel and his buds converse about relationships. Some bits of the talk: "Don't ask 'Mr. Chronically Single 'cause he's dating some hot chick guy'". And, "Okay 'Mr. has to go home early 'cause he can't hang with the boys 'cause he's gotta spend time with his wife guy'". Then there's the *out in the cold / splashed by Taxi mud / sit at a bar alone* montages... the coffee shop conversations... Even Norah Jones is on the soundtrack. Seriously, it tackles all of them. If I mentioned the rest, I'd be reciting the entire movie.

The exaggeration of the tropes is chuckle-worthy most of the time, and the well-verseness in rom-coms is impressive. However, the schtick gets old after a while, and the film amounts to little more than a rom-com with self-aware commentators. 

They Came Together just kind of comes and goes, but there are worse DVD/VOD choices you could make on a date night.

5.5/10