They Came Together

They Came Together 2014

Runtime

83 min

Language

English

English

Made by

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

Test your knowledge of They Came Together with our quiz!

Plot Summary


When Joel, portrayed by Paul Rudd, first crosses paths with Molly, played by Amy Poehler, it’s a clash of opposites: their initial encounter is marked by mutual disdain, as his large corporation, CSR (Candy Research and Systems), poses a serious threat to her charming indie candy shop. Struggling with her recent breakup, Molly’s clumsy demeanor adds to the tension, while Joel is entangled in a complicated relationship with the alluring Tiffany Amber Thigpen, played by Cobie Smulders, who seems to care little for him. Joel’s workplace is rife with competition, particularly from his rival Trevor, portrayed by Michael Ian Black, who seeks to undermine him at every turn, and his boss, Roland, played by Christopher Meloni, is equally unforgiving.

As fate would have it, Molly discovers CSR’s plans to erect a massive store right across from her shop, which leads her to visit her accountant, Eggbert Flaps (Ed Helms), who delivers the grim news that her business is doomed within six months. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Joel is taken aback when he unexpectedly catches Tiffany in an intimate moment with Trevor, prompting her abrupt departure from his life. Seeking solace, Joel invites his brother, Jake (Max Greenfield), a carefree slacker, to stay with him for a few days.

The plot thickens when Joel and Molly are thrown together at a Halloween party, where they’re clad in identical costumes, leading to a comedic confrontation. Their mutual friends, Bob and Brenda, step in to facilitate an introduction. Molly is initially irked to learn that Joel is affiliated with CSR, yet she can’t deny his charm. A chance encounter at a local used bookstore ignites something between them as they discover shared interests. Molly, reflecting on her first impression of Joel, reaches out for a casual coffee date that blossoms into a deeper connection, leading her to invite him over for dinner where they share personal dreams.

Their romance takes a turn when Joel learns about Molly having a son, making things more complicated as he struggles with their relationship due to his lingering feelings for Tiffany. After an awkward dinner, where an incident reveals Molly’s parents’ unsettling beliefs, Joel confronts Molly, leading to a heated argument that ends with him storming out. In a moment of weakness, he finds solace with Tiffany once more, only to realize this wasn’t meant to be.

As Thanksgiving approaches, tensions rise at a gathering hosted by Bob and Brenda, showcasing the love-triangle complexities involving Molly, Eggbert, Joel, and Tiffany. Fast forward to New Year’s Eve, Eggbert proposes to Molly, who accepts, but Joel starts to connect the dots about Tiffany’s true intentions. After a heart-to-heart with his grandmother, he recognizes that Molly is the one he truly wants.

In a bold move, he requests his boss Roland to spare Molly’s shop, a plea that results in a big promotion for Joel—a promotion he ultimately declines, choosing instead to pursue his passion for opening a coffee shop named “A Cup of Joel.” In a dramatic turn of events, Joel rushes to stop Molly’s wedding, only to discover she’s just left Eggbert at the altar, realizing he wasn’t her soulmate.

Their love rekindles, and they marry in the same spot a year later. However, life takes unforeseen turns; Molly’s shop ultimately fails as CSR expands its dominance, and despite Joel’s dream of “A Cup of Joel,” it doesn’t quite take off. This leads to conflict within their new family dynamics as Molly’s son begins to resent Joel, culminating in the heart-wrenching decision for them to file for divorce while still maintaining a friendship.

Timeline


First Encounter

Joel and Molly first meet under tense circumstances, as he represents a corporate threat to her beloved indie candy shop. Their initial encounter is marked by mutual disdain, exacerbated by Molly's clumsiness and Joel's complicated feelings regarding his romantic interest, Tiffany.

Molly's Business Crisis

Molly learns that CSR plans to build a massive store directly across from her shop, threatening its existence. Consulting her accountant, Eggbert, she discovers her business could fail within six months, deepening her worries.

Molly's candy shop

Joel's Heartbreak

Amidst Molly's troubles, Joel faces his own heartache when he unexpectedly finds Tiffany in a compromising situation with his rival, Trevor. This revelation leads to Tiffany abruptly leaving his life, amplifying his emotional turmoil.

Joel's workplace

A Halloween Encounter

At a Halloween party, Joel and Molly find themselves in identical costumes, igniting a comedic confrontation between the two. Their mutual friends, Bob and Brenda, recognize the tension and facilitate an introduction, allowing them to get to know one another.

Halloween party

Coffee Date

After their awkward yet humorous Halloween encounter, Molly and Joel bond over shared interests at a local used bookstore. This sparks a casual coffee date that quickly blossoms into a deeper emotional connection.

Local used bookstore

Facing Complications

As their relationship develops, Joel learns that Molly has a son, complicating their romance. His lingering feelings for Tiffany begin to interfere with his feelings for Molly, creating uncertainty in their budding relationship.

The Awkward Dinner

During a dinner at Molly's place, an uncomfortable incident occurs that reveals her parents' unsettling beliefs, leading to a heated argument with Joel. The tension culminates with Joel storming out, marking a low point in their relationship.

Molly's home

Thanksgiving Tensions

At a Thanksgiving gathering hosted by their friends Bob and Brenda, the dynamics between the characters get increasingly complex. Joel struggles with feelings for Tiffany while also grappling with his emotions for Molly and the new life they are trying to build.

Thanksgiving Bob and Brenda's house

Eggbert's Proposal

As New Year's Eve approaches, Eggbert surprises everyone by proposing to Molly, and she accepts without hesitation. Meanwhile, Joel begins to piece together Tiffany's manipulative intentions, leading him to reevaluate his own desires.

New Year’s Eve

A Heart-to-Heart

After a heartfelt conversation with his grandmother, Joel realizes that his true feelings lie with Molly. This epiphany stirs him to take decisive action regarding his future and relationships.

Joel's grandmother's house

Company Decision

In a bold move, Joel requests that his boss Roland protect Molly's candy shop from CSR's expansion plans. His heartfelt plea surprisingly results in a big promotion, which he ultimately decides to decline in favor of pursuing his dream.

CSR Office

Stopping the Wedding

In a dramatic twist, Joel rushes to prevent Molly's wedding to Eggbert, only to discover that she has left him at the altar. This moment of truth rekindles their love, leading to a realization that they are meant for each other.

Wedding venue

The Wedding

After overcoming their respective challenges and rekindling their romance, Joel and Molly marry in the same spot one year later. This moment signifies their commitment to one another despite the complexities of life ahead.

Same wedding venue

Business Challenges

Despite their wedding joy, reality sets in as Molly's candy shop ultimately fails due to CSR's dominance in the market. Simultaneously, Joel's dream of opening 'A Cup of Joel' does not materialize as he had hoped.

Divorce Decision

As issues compound, tension builds within their new family dynamics, especially with Molly's son beginning to resent Joel. Faced with insurmountable challenges, Joel and Molly make the heart-wrenching decision to file for divorce while striving to maintain a friendship.

Characters


Joel (Paul Rudd)

Joel is a conflicted character caught between his past and newfound love. Initially entangled in an unsatisfactory relationship with Tiffany, he navigates his feelings for Molly while grappling with the implications of his corporate job on her livelihood. His journey reflects a quest for passion and authenticity.

💔 Heartbroken 💼 Corporate 🤔 Conflicted

Molly (Amy Poehler)

Molly is a quirky and endearing character who runs an indie candy shop. Recently heartbroken, she initially struggles with her feelings for Joel, who represents a stark contrast to her values. Through her journey, she reveals determination and resilience, ultimately seeking love and security.

🍬 Indie 💖 Romantic 🌪️ Clumsy

Tiffany Amber Thigpen (Cobie Smulders)

Tiffany is portrayed as a beautiful yet self-absorbed character who complicates Joel’s romantic journey. Her lack of genuine attachment to Joel highlights the emptiness of their relationship, serving as a catalyst for his growth and push toward Molly. She embodies the challenges of moving on from past relationships.

💋 Alluring 😒 Selfish 📉 Complicated

Roland (Christopher Meloni)

Roland is Joel’s unforgiving boss, representing the corporate side of the narrative. His relentless ambition and high expectations create a pressurized environment for Joel. Through his portrayal, the film critiques the often ruthless nature of corporate culture.

💼 Corporate 📈 Ambitious ⚔️ Intimidating

Setting


Time period

The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern urban life and contemporary relationship dynamics. Various traditions such as Halloween and Thanksgiving are woven into the narrative, giving insight into seasonal celebrations and their impact on social interactions.

Location

New York City

The movie is set in New York City, known for its vibrant culture and bustling neighborhoods. It features contrasting locations: Molly's charming indie candy shop, which embodies local artistry and small business spirit, and the imposing corporate headquarters of CSR, representing commercial dominance. This backdrop highlights the tension between independent creativity and corporate ambition.

🏙️ City 🍭 Candy Shop

Themes


💔

Romantic Conflict

The film explores the complexities of romance, often showcasing love triangles and the struggle between past and present relationships. Joel’s lingering feelings for Tiffany conflict with the budding connection he has with Molly, reflecting on how past loves can affect new beginnings. This theme is further complicated by the dynamics of family and personal dreams.

🏢

Corporate vs. Indie

A significant theme is the clash between corporate giants and indie businesses, embodied by the rivalry between Joel’s employer and Molly’s candy shop. The film examines the impact of corporate expansion on local businesses and the personal stakes involved, showcasing the fight for survival in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

👪

Family Dynamics

The dynamics of family play a crucial role in molding the characters and their relationships. Joel's attempts to integrate into Molly's life and her son’s growing resentment illustrate the challenges faced when blending families. The film poignantly depicts love's resilience amidst familial complications and emotional turmoil.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.