Jake, and his girlfriend Jess arrive at his high school friend's house owned by married couple, Cully and Sam. There, some of Jake's friends start to arrive including: best friends Marty and AJ, successful and famous musician Reeves, and Scott together with his wife, Suki. They eventually drive to their 10 year high school reunion. Other friends from their high school arrive including: Garrity along with his wife Olivia and Garrity's best friend Andre. Meanwhile, a reclusive classmate named Elise arrives at the reunion alone. She tries to welcome the guest only to be ignored by the party planners, Anna and Julie. Jake, Cully, Andre, and Reeves are smoking a joint in the car while discussing Jake's future plans with Jess. Jake reveals an envelope with a ring inside indicating he's had marital intentions for quite some time. Jake expresses that he plans to marry Jess, but just hasn't found the right moment. While the four are in the car, Jake sees his high school sweetheart Mary and her new husband Paul whom he had a relationship with during and after high school, but ended abruptly due to the tragic death of Mary's father. Later, Jake, Jess, Mary, and Paul share awkward introductions with one another as they meet for the first time, as well as Mary and Jake reconnecting for the first time in eight years. Reeves finds an open table next to his classmate Elise who recalls having Physics together and the two begin to spend time together. They try to search for a picture of Elise from high school but have difficulty given her introverted past. Reeves finally spots a picture of Elise because she was wearing a pair of bright funny yellow shoes. The night proceeds as everyone is faced with both their past and present selves. Some have changed while others stayed the same. Olivia begins to discover that Garrity's personality was much different back in high school, being very similar to Andre as well as all his closest friends being black. Cully attempts to apologize for his high school behavior towards the classmates he used to bully, but eventually reverts to his old self with each drink he takes, embarrassing himself and Sam. As the night progresses, many of the classmates continue to reconnect with their past, most of them being unresolved. They each remember their regrettable time at prom while also stating, "that's the point of prom". But Jake and Mary never went due to Mary's father having his first heart attack. They eventually continue the night and head to the local hangout bar "Pretzels". Jake and Jess, and Mary and Paul begin to share subtle and uncomfortable exchanges with one another as they continue to notice an unresolved relationship between Jake and Mary. Jess eventually leaves and tells Jake to enjoys his reunion with his friends. Paul does the same. Marty and AJ, now successful in their respective careers, attempt to impress and woo the prom queen Anna, the girl who has everything. After she turns them down, they attempt a childish revenge and toilet paper her house. She invites them in and they learn that none of them has a perfect life. She has two children with absent fathers, Marty lives in a very small New York apartment alone and financially unstable, and AJ is getting a divorce. All three reconnect and forgive themselves for their past faults. As Elise continues to connects with Reeves throughout the night, Reeves is pressured by his classmates and friends to sing Karaoke. Reluctant at first, Reeves eventually gives in and sings his popular hit song "Never Had". Upon singing, it's unveiled that Reeves actually had feelings for Elise all this time. Being an inspiration for his hit song, he reveals in his lyrics that he has always noticed her "funny yellow shoes". Reluctant at first out of fear, Elise is resistant to get close with Reeves. She learns that he's always on the road and that he lives out of a suitcase given his lifestyle as a musician. She eventually gives him her number, hinting she would like him to come back and stay with her. The two share a kiss and spend the night together. As the night is coming to a close and everyone is heading home, Jake and Mary are the only two left in the bar. As Jake is about to leave, Mary asks him for the dance they never had at prom, finally giving themselves the opportunity to come to terms with how their had relationship ended. While having their dance, Mary sees that Jake really is in love with Jess, but is waiting for the "perfect" moment to ask. Mary tells him if he proposes, "It will be". Jake asks Mary if she's happy with Paul, and Mary reveals that she's pregnant, indicating that she's happy as well. The two continue their dance as they come to peace with the end of their relationship, looking forward to their new ones. Jake returns to his hotel and sees Jess still awake. Jake realizes that Jess actually left and wanted him to stay so that he could finally have closure with Mary. Jake and Jess join their friends at a diner. While everyone enjoys their final moments together before moving on with their respectful lives, Jake stares at Jess in silence and eventually goes to his car. Remembering that his relationship will become perfect if he marries Jess, he grabs the ring from the envelope.
Cast
Production
A short film titled Ten Year was produced in 2011 by Channing Tatum to attract financing for the feature film. The film was produced by Marty Bowen, Reid Carolin, Wyck Godfrey and Channing Tatum, and the screenplay was written by Jamie Linden. The film was shot in New York, California and New Mexico starting in January 2011.
Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 60% approval rating based on 58 reviews, with an average rating of 5.87/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "A sweet ensemble comedy about a high school reunion, 10 Years is well cast but unfortunately predictable and short on three dimensional characters." Metacritic reports a score of 61/100 based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
