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Plot Summary

I Give It a Year (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 97 min · English
JustWatch #3,881 9
Directed by
Dan Mazer
Starring
Jason Flemyng, Stephen Merchant, Rafe Spall, Rose Byrne, Terence Harvey, Minnie Driver

After a whirlwind romance, Naomi and Josh quickly tie the knot, but their first year of marriage proves to be more challenging than they anticipated. Facing doubts, conflicting personalities, and the temptations of other relationships, they must confront the realities of married life and ultimately re-evaluate their love and commitment to one another.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like I Give It a Year
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch I Give It a Year (2013)

Where can you watch I Give It a Year? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in I Give It a Year: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of I Give It a Year (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Ambitious high-flyer Nat and struggling writer Josh experience love at first sight during a lively party. Six months later, they tie the knot, despite the skepticism of their friends and some awkward moments, including an unfortunate best man's speech and a coughing priest. At work post-honeymoon, Nat finds herself embarrassed when Josh calls her during an important meeting, affectionately declaring how much he misses her. Their first meeting with a solicitor becomes a comedic mix-up when Josh tricks her into arriving early.

Hosting a dinner party to celebrate their wedding gifts unveils their differences, especially regarding their honeymoon stories. Confronted with the specter of Josh's unresolved feelings for his ex, Chloe, Nat grapples with her insecurities. Meanwhile, her sister Naomi faces her own marital struggles, made worse by her husband's annoying habits.

As Nat and her teammates prepare for a meeting with their new client, Guy Harrap, they inadvertently mock him without realizing he's right there. When Nat's wedding ring is stolen, her coworker believes it might boost their business chances by appearing single. The meeting unfolds with Guy initially playing into their stereotypes of an obnoxious American, only to reveal his true self, leaving the women embarrassed. Following their encounter, a romantic tension brews between Nat and Guy, ultimately leading to a dinner invitation that Nat declines.

As the story progresses, the subtle strains in Nat and Josh's relationship begin to surface. Little annoyances, from leaving the toilet seat up to mismatched song lyrics, start to take a toll. An uninvited dinner plans with Chloe complicate matters further as Josh finds himself caught in a series of awkward interactions with her. Heartfelt phone calls and shared moments draw them closer but make their respective partners suspicious.

During a chance meeting at a lingerie shop, sparks ignite when Chloe and Josh share an unexpected kiss while she seeks his help. The narrative frenzies as both couples find themselves intertwined at crucial moments, leading to comedic yet uncomfortable interactions filled with misunderstandings.

The delightful chaotic moments peak during a Christmas charades game, where Josh clumsily veers into inappropriate territory, only to be countered by Nat's sarcastic retorts. Meanwhile, uncomfortable reveals about family perceptions emerge, particularly when Josh presents evidence of disapproving gifts from Nat's family.

As tensions mount, Nat and Josh explore the dynamics of their relationship, ultimately reaching a breaking point leading them to seek help instead of surrendering. Months pass by, and as their anniversary approaches, a sense of hope flickers yet remains laced with uncertainty. Dealing with various expectations, they prepare for a celebratory dinner with friends and family, only for their revelations to lead to surprising conclusions.

In a twist of fate, just as Nat and Josh are about to cement their future, they find themselves at a junction, leading to confessions of love and desires for independence. Amidst fate's orchestrations, Nat seeks Guy, while Josh pursues Chloe, ultimately climaxing in a romantic entanglement that leaves both couples questioning their decisions. Amid laughter and tears, a series of unexpected endings unfold and embrace a vibrant exploration of love, marriage, and the intricate dance of relationships.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 23:10

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Plot questions answered

I Give It a Year Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about I Give It a Year (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Nat turn down Guy's dinner invitation?

Nat declines Guy's dinner invitation because she remains committed to her marriage with Josh. Despite the romantic tension she feels after their awkward client meeting, she chooses to prioritize her wedding vows and her husband. The moment represents her loyalty being tested early in their marriage.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Nat's coworker speculates that appearing single could help win clients, subtly hinting at the temptation she will face.

  • nat
  • guy
  • dinner invitation
  • marriage
  • commitment
Q2

Why does Josh call Nat during her important work meeting?

Josh calls Nat during her important meeting because he simply misses his new wife after their honeymoon. His affectionate call, declaring how much he misses her, creates an embarrassing disruption. The moment illustrates the disconnect between their romantic honeymoon phase and the realities of balancing work and married life.

Foreshadowing: This incident establishes that Josh is more openly affectionate and less aware of professional boundaries, a pattern that will cause tension throughout the film.

  • josh
  • nat
  • meeting
  • phone call
  • work
  • honeymoon
Q3

Why does Nat become insecure about Josh's ex, Chloe?

Nat's insecurity stems from Josh's unresolved feelings for Chloe, which emerge during a dinner party conversation. When confronted with the reality that Josh's past feelings for his ex are still present, Nat's confidence in their rushed marriage is shaken. This creates ongoing tension between the couple throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows that Chloe remains in Josh's life through uninvited dinner plans, keeping this romantic threat present.

  • chloe
  • josh
  • ex
  • insecurity
  • nat
  • marriage
Q4

Why is Nat's wedding ring stolen at work?

When Nat's wedding ring goes missing at work, her coworker suggests that appearing single might improve their business chances with client Guy Harrap. This humorous incident reveals the opportunistic nature of Nat's workplace and adds to the mounting pressures on her marriage, though it ultimately doesn't lead to the career boost they hoped for.

Foreshadowing: This moment foreshadows the eventual romantic tension between Nat and Guy, as her single status becomes a point of speculation.

  • wedding ring
  • stolen
  • work
  • nat
  • guy
  • business
Q5

What leads to the kiss between Chloe and Josh at the lingerie shop?

The lingerie shop kiss happens when Chloe encounters Josh while she is shopping and asks for his help with selecting a gift. During this intimate setting, they share an unexpected kiss. This moment represents the culmination of their unresolved chemistry and Josh's wavering commitment to his marriage, both couples already experiencing growing doubts about their relationships.

Foreshadowing: Earlier awkward encounters with Chloe and the uninvited dinner plans have been building tension toward this infidelity.

  • chloe
  • josh
  • lingerie shop
  • kiss
  • affair
Q6

Why do Nat and Josh decide to seek help for their marriage?

As mounting annoyances and misunderstandings strain their relationship, Nat and Josh choose to seek professional help instead of simply giving up. This decision shows they want to genuinely work through their issues, demonstrating commitment despite their doubts. The therapy represents their attempt to address the growing disconnect between them.

Foreshadowing: The steady accumulation of small tensions, from toilet seats to song lyrics, has been building toward this breaking point.

  • therapy
  • marriage help
  • nat
  • josh
  • relationship problems
Q7

How do the relationships end up by the film's conclusion?

By the end, both couples separate and find new romantic connections. Nat pursues Guy, the American client she met through work, while Josh follows his feelings for Chloe, his ex. The film concludes with both former couplesembracing these new relationships, suggesting that their rushed marriage was ultimately a stepping stone to more compatible partnerships.

Foreshadowing: The anniversary dinner revelations mark the turning point where both characters confess their desires for independence and pursue their true romantic interests.

  • ending
  • nat
  • josh
  • guy
  • chloe
  • new relationships
  • divorce
Q8

Why does Josh trick Nat into arriving early for the solicitor meeting?

Josh plays a prank on Nat by tricking her into arriving early for their solicitor meeting, turning it into a comedic mix-up. This playful behavior highlights their relationship dynamic and sets the tone for the film's humor, though it also hints at Josh's tendency to prioritize fun over seriousness in their marriage.

Foreshadowing: This early incident establishes the pattern of Josh's playful but sometimes insensitive approach to their relationship.

  • josh
  • nat
  • solicitor
  • trick
  • prank
  • meeting
Q9

What differences emerge between Nat and Josh at the dinner party?

During the dinner party celebrating their wedding gifts, differences between Nat and Josh surface through clashing honeymoon stories and conversations about their expectations. The event reveals underlying tensions, particularly regarding Josh's unresolved feelings for Chloe, which becomes a recurring source of conflict in their marriage.

Foreshadowing: This dinner party marks the first major public emergence of the cracks in their relationship.

  • dinner party
  • differences
  • honeymoon
  • nat
  • josh
  • conflict
Q10

What happens during the Christmas charades game?

The Christmas charades game becomes a chaotic moment when Josh awkwardly veers into inappropriate territory during the family game. Nat counters with her signature sarcasm, creating uncomfortable laughter. This scene highlights the growing strain in their relationship, as even a traditional holiday gathering becomes fraught with tension and miscommunication.

Foreshadowing: This uncomfortable family moment foreshadows the revelations about Nat's family's disapproval that emerge later.

  • christmas
  • charades
  • family
  • nat
  • josh
  • awkward

Movie threads

More Movies Like I Give It a Year, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes I Give It a Year tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Awkward romantic satires like I Give It a Year

Comedies that find humor in the cringe-worthy realities of modern love. If you liked the cringe-comedy and satirical edge of I Give It a Year, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features comedies that explore the awkward, messy, and often hilarious side of relationships, perfect for fans of witty humor and non-traditional love stories.

  • awkward
  • satirical
  • playful
  • uncomfortable
  • comic
  • cringe
  • Tone: light, satirical, playful
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often follow characters as they navigate the gap between romantic ideals and messy reality. The plot is driven by a series of comic set-pieces—awkward dinners, disastrous parties, workplace temptations—that highlight the characters' flaws and the inherent comedy of trying to make love work.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared tone: a light, satirical approach to romance that prioritizes witty observation and situational cringe over sentimental sweetness. They feature steady pacing, a medium intensity focused on social tension, and a comedic distance from their subjects.

Movies about troubled marriages like I Give It a Year

Stories that humorously dissect the challenges of long-term commitment. For viewers who enjoyed I Give It a Year's take on marital strife, this list features similar comedies and dramedies about couples facing a crisis. Discover movies that blend humor with the real-world challenges of commitment, infidelity, and re-evaluating a relationship.

  • chaotic
  • romantic
  • comic
  • uncomfortable
  • playful
  • doubtful
  • Tone: light, romantic, comic
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern typically begins with a couple facing a major test, such as the first year of marriage or a specific temptation. The story unfolds through their arguments, miscommunications, and often the consideration of other partners, leading to a climax where they must consciously decide the fate of their relationship, which can result in a mixed or bittersweet ending.

Why they belong together: These films share a central focus on the theme of marital strife, exploring it with a blend of romance and comedy. They have a straightforward narrative complexity and a mixed emotional tone, finding humor in conflict while still acknowledging the genuine stakes involved.

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Every angle

I Give It a Year (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about I Give It a Year in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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