This is the part where I act like an authority on entertainment, and criticize the work of professionals who are, without exception, more successful than I in the industry in which we both work. Some people would say this is proof I have "balls", or "chutzpah" in Jewspeak. Others would say it's proof I'm a "douchebag". To catch up on any old reviews, you can find the link on the right hand side of the page, or just click here.
Yeah, that's right -- a movie review. Bet you forgot I even did these anymore. After three months without one, I think I did, too. But with Spring spring, and summer blockbusters just around the corner, you can expect to see some more, so let's get back in the flow, yo:
The "bromantic comedy" has become a staple of the male 18-34 demo comedy, especially among the Judd Apatow mafia -- 'Superbad' and 'Pineapple Express' are tow recent examples. Though the idea that two straight guys can have a "romance" of sorts, has been a subplot in many movies lately, John Hamburg's 'I Love You, Man' takes it to the next logical step -- giving it all the usual conceits and structure of a romantic comedy.
Hamburg (of 'Meet the Parents' fame) directs, and also co-wrote the script with Larry Levin. Paul Rudd, usually a bit player as the best friend, or one of the gang, plays the lead. With Jason Segel playing his platonic love interest. Rudd's Peter and Segel's Sydney have all the familiar plot points in their bromance -- meet cute, awkward first date, escalating feelings, breakup, makeup, etc. The result, while not ground-breaking by any means, is effective.
Rudd is solid as the slightly off Peter, a guy who doesn't have any guy friends, and acts a little nervous and creepy when he does get around one. Rudd normally plays the glib, easy going type, so it's a bit odd to see him "play down" to Peter, especially since it's his story, and the movie rests on his shoulders. It's during this time the movie suffers through its only real uncertainty. Frankly, it's a little hard to buy Peter's charm with the ladies coupled with his awkwardness with men. The bubbling, and especially the babbling lingo he utters, gets a bit much at times, but Rudd still manages to pull it off with his charming, easy-to-root-for persona.
Peter's lack of a strong personality early on is off-set by those around him. His fiancee, Zooey (Rashidi Jones), and her friends Denise and Hailey (a decent Jaime Pressley and a great Sarah Burns, respectively) are plain-speaking and colorful, as is Denise's husband Barry (a nasty John Favreau). The quality ensemble casting continues throughout Peter's family -- loving mom (Jane Curtain), distant dad (JK Simmons), and gay brother (Andy Samburg). These supporting characters, along with a few others (most notably, Thomas Lennon), help carry the story until Segel shows up at the first act break.
Once Segel's Sydney does arrive, he shakes up Peter's world, giving him -- and the movie -- the electricity he/it needs. He's Peter's polar opposite (fulfilling another rom-com staple) -- confident, relaxed, and seemingly apathetic about how others see him. Sydney helps draw Peter from his shell -- drinking, jamming, going to a concert, even pushing him to work harder at his real estate job. Segel is great as Sydney, keeping the laughs coming, and adding a much-needed wild card into the mix. His riffs on society's habits and rules are the highlights of the movie.
'I Love You, Man' is solid, if not revelatory comedy by talented professionals. It's the kind of movie you shouldn't rush out to see, but it is the kind you should enjoy if you do.
Using the age-old Hollywood scale of judgment -- HIGHLY RECOMMEND/RECOMMEND/CONSIDER/PASS (circle one) -- I rate 'I Love You, Man':
RECOMMEND
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