Someone Marry Barry (2014)

Number Rolled: 55

Movie Name/Year: Someone Marry Barry (2014)

Tagline: The story of a guy only a wife could love.

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Length: 87 minutes

Rating: NR

Production Companies: Madrose Productions, Straight Up Films

Producer: Jeremy Bailer, Kate Cohen, Donny Debarr, William Gheen, David Jeffery, Barry Josephson, Joanna Meek, Peggy Lee Miller, Ryan Neville-Alfieri, Rob Pearlstein, Marisa Polvino, Marat Rosenberg, Marc H. Simon, Phil Vehec, Gabriela Vazquez, Alexander Young

Director: Rob Pearlstein

Writer: Rob Pearlstein

Actors: Tyler Labine, Damon Wayans Jr., Lucy Punch, Hayes MacArthur, Thomas Middleditch, Amanda Lund, Frankie Shaw, Wyatt Oleff, J. Robin Miller, Ginger Gonzaga, Ed Helms, Jerry Minor, Lauren Miller, Brian Huskey, Greg Germann, Brett Gelman, Liza Lapira, Michael Panes, Joe Lo Truglio, Mark Edward Smith

Stunt Performer: Tyler Bonura

Languages

Speech Available: English

Subtitles Available: English

Blurb from Netflix: Weary of putting up with their embarrassing chum Barry, three friends set about finding a woman who’ll solve their problem by putting him in wedlock.

Selina’s Point of View:

If you’ve seen one romantic comedy, you’ve seen the majority of the rest of them. Really, there aren’t that many different flavors of the genre. This one, however, had a very different flavor.

Don’t get me wrong. The film definitely followed a LOT of the stereotypes and tropes you’d expect from the genre. What made it ultimately different was the characters.

Each of the characters had their own storyline and issues to overcome, instead of just the leading actors with their love story. By the end of the film I felt like I knew, and was invested in, all the character stories. I normally only find that happening in intersecting anthologies – like New York, I Love You (2008) – or movies that are created for the sole purpose of utilizing several different main characters – like He’s Just Not That Into You (2009).

The storyline itself, where it followed a lot of stereotypes, spit in the face of some of the most annoying tropes known to romantic comedies. I enjoyed that part immensely. However, I can’t go into specifics without causing some major spoilers, so you’ll just have to take my word on it.

I really enjoyed Someone Marry Barry. It was an interesting take on the genre, the actors did very well in their parts, and it was hilarious.

I’d watch it again without any hesitation.

Cat’s Point of View:

Where do I start with this one? I know that sounds ominous, but it’s not a bad thing. This movie was a decidedly pleasant surprise. It was a blend of hilarity and the urge to plaster my palm to my face (while still laughing). I’m not afraid to admit I enjoy the occasional dive into raunchy humor. The good news is that this film wasn’t only that.

The underlying theme exploring the bonds of friendship is pretty solid. The movie pokes at how our friendships evolve as we get older – especially with a person or group of people we’ve known since childhood.

I have to say that the casting for this movie did a phenomenal job. I think the core ensemble of Damon Wayans Jr. (Marmaduke, The Other Guys, New Girl), Hayes MacArthur (The Game Plan, Answers to Nothing, The Motel Life), and Thomas Middleditch (The Brass Teapot, Fun Size, The Final Girls) worked well together as the ‘straight men’ foils to their crazy Barry, played by Tyler Labine (Control Alt Delete, Best Man Down, Voltron).

Of course, Labine is no stranger to off the wall comedy. I do, however, appreciate that his character had some layers. If it had only been blue comedy, I don’t think the film would have had the same impact.

I absolutely adored Lucy Punch (Dinner for Schmucks, Stand Up Guys, Cake) in this movie. Aside from the fact that she got to rock her native British accent for her role, I loved the brazen abandon of her character. She made the underlying vulnerability of Melanie look simply effortless, too.

While I don’t think this film rates as high as Labine’s insanely funny work in Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010), it made enough of an impression that I wouldn’t mind watching it again or even recommending it to anyone that enjoys some irreverent humor occasionally.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 45%

Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 3.5/5

Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 3.5/5

Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 3.5/5

Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 4/5

The Random Rating: R

P.S. An extra scene just during the beginning of the credits.

Movie Trailer: