Netflix UK film review: 10 Years (2011)
Review Overview
Ensemble
7Comedy
5Oscar Isaac’s voice
9Ruby | On 22, May 2017
Director: Jamie Linden
Cast: Channing Tatum, Chris Pratt, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Aubrey Plaza, Justin Long, Kate Mara
Certificate: 15
Watch 10 Years online in the UK: Netflix UK / Apple TV (iTunes) / Prime Video (Buy/Rent) / Google Play
10 Years follows a group of friends at their high school reunion, most of whom haven’t turned out the way they had hoped. The plot loosely hangs on the story of Jake (Channing Tatum) who drives his girlfriend, Jess (Jenna Dewan Tatum), back to his home town, where they will attend his 10-year high school reunion with many of his friends. Jake is considering proposing to Jess, at least until his first love, Mary (Rosario Dawson), arrives at the event.
In true ensemble style, the first 15 minutes introduces a host of characters (and an unbelievable cast), including annoying jock Cully (Chris Pratt), who sees the reunion as a chance to redeem himself, Reeves (Oscar Isaac), the rock star who is there for one person in particular, Olivia (Aubrey Plaza), who is newly married to Garrity (Brian Geraghty), whose past was a mystery to her and to complete the gang, and the childish duo of Marty (Justin Long) and AJ (Max Minghella), who both vie for the attention of popular party girl Sam (Ari Graynor).
The longer the evening wears on, the crowd move to their favourite late night watering hole and the comedy gives way to drama. As the drinks flow, their masks begin to slip as and some pretences are revealed. As much as it is a little predictable, it feels fresh in part and the dialogue (some of it improvised) zips along at a good pace.
It’s worth sticking around for some moments of realisation, as Reeves is persuaded to sing his hit song after a previous less-than-brilliant karaoke session; if you haven’t yet seen Inside Llewyn Davis, after 10 Years, you will be in no doubt that Isaac is a real musical talent as well as actor. He even co-wrote the song.
There are moments of reflection and real poignancy from some of the characters and decisions made during the evening and early morning, which make this re-telling of the reunion genre really enjoyable, although there’s just not enough depth and surprises to make it the film it’s longing to be. 10 Years feels a little too familiar and although the star-studded cast really sell their characters stories, and there will be scenes that will stay with you for some time, in 10 years, you might not even remember the name of this film.
10 Years is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.