Whether you like it or not, 2012 has been Channing Tatum’s year. He surprised audiences with his performances in 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike. So, it’s kind of surprising that his latest film is flying under the radar. I hadn’t heard about 10 Years until receiving my screening invite a couple weeks ago. When I looked it up, I was even more surprised at the ensemble this comedy has lined up in addition to Tatum: Rosario Dawson, Ari Graynor, Chris Pratt, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Justin Long, Ron Livingston, Aubrey Plaza, Anthony Mackie, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Kate Mara, and more. These are actors are really selling points for me and probably many others. So I figured maybe the movie was bad, hence the next-to-none publicity. Well, it’s not bad. Despite being cliché and predictable, the cast of 10 Years elevates the material, making it funny, enjoyable and pretty endearing.
10 Years is about a group of friends reuniting for their ten year high school reunion. It begins with Jake (Tatum) driving back to his hometown with his girlfriend, Jess (Dewan-Tatum). Everyone is coming together to meet at Cully and Sam’s (Pratt and Graynor) house. We meet AJ (Minghella) and Marty (Long) as they meet up at the airport to head to Cully’s. The married AJ is all pumped up to be Marty’s wingman and be “back in action.” Reeves (Isaac) arrives to Cully’s by cab; he’s a famous musician and is surprisingly taking a day off to go to his reunion. Once most of the gang has stopped by, they all head to the reunion. There they get drunk, try to right past wrongs, and learn to move on from the past.
Once they get to the reunion to group spreads out into their own little story ARCs. Jake is nervous to see his ex-girlfriend/first love Mary (Rosario Dawson). Cully was a jerk in high school and obnoxiously tries to apologize and make it up to all the people he bullied. AJ and Marty compete to win the attentions of beautiful Anna (Lynn Collins). Reeves decides to go after his old crush, Elise (Kate Mara).
As all this happens, all the hijinks that would typically occur in reunion films happen. But what makes it so fun is that you can tell all the actors are having a good time with it, especially Anthony Mackie. There’s something infectious about it, and the fun spreads to the audience. It helped me become invested in these characters, and in turn, I had a fun time watching the movie, even during the couple cringe-worthy scenes. (Oh, Oscar Isaac, I love you, but that song was just too cheesy to bear.)
If you like the cast, it’s a sure thing that you’ll enjoy the movie. But if you don’t like them or even know who they are, it’s likely that you won’t care for this movie at all. I know that if it was filled with a bunch of cast members I didn’t like or know, I would’ve hated it.
Rating: 4/10 ★★★★
10 Years hits select theaters Friday, September 21st.
Advertisement
Advertisement
