Random Review: I Love You, Man

Here's where things get crazy. I'm spouting off a random blog here to do an excellent review of a film. I'll try and do this whenever I see a movie in the theatre. But enough of the introduction, let's get down to brass tacks and nail it.

I Love You, Man

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Jon Favreau, Jamie Pressley, Lou Ferrigno
Plot: Peter's (Rudd) getting married but begins his search for a best man when he realizes he has no male friends.

"Beatles or Stones on 3"
I love it, man. The Apatow team takes a simple, yet real concept and turns into comedic gold. While by no means is ILYM near the quality of a Knocked Up or The 40-Year Old Virgin, it's a comedy that doesn't disappoint. ILYM is not a comedy built around gross out humor. Rather, it centers it's humor on the pure awkwardness of the Paul Rudd's character Peter and his situation. From a rambling phone message, which ends with a word intended to be a nickname that not even Rudd knew what he said, to a projectile vomit (yup, it's possible) all over the host of a poker game, Peter just seems awkward at every turn of the movie. Until he meets Segel's character Sidney. (Although, he's still rather awkward) Peter finally comes out of his shell and makes a friend. Rudd and Segel's interactions is where most of the humor is found. Both are in awkward situations on opposite ends of the spectrum: Rudd is about to get married with no male friends and Segel has no yearn for commitment, but all his other friends are married. The random inserting of Lou Ferrigno, or better known as The Hulk, doesn't hurt the humor. Even though Rudd's getting married, it's his relationship with Segel that drives the movie. I hate to use the word "bromance" but Segel and Rudd's relationship is as close to a gay relationship as a straight relationship gets between guys.
"You want to get a corn dog?" "YEAH!"
There is nothing complicated about this movie. It takes a problem that any normal guy might have to worry about down the line or in the present, and it preys on the situation. There is no subtle irony or surprise turns (although, at one point I thought the friendship might take a disappointing turn, but I won't spoil it), just two guys making Andre the Giant jokes, talking about sex, rocking out, and having a few beers.
"Slap da bass, mon"
What I love about Paul Rudd is that he could take a character like Peter and just make me cringe at almost everything he says. He just has no idea how to interact with other men. Even his gay brother (Samberg) seems less stereotypically gay than him. He must have used around 40 different nicknames for Segel's character that I've never heard anyone say before to anyone. The whole cast, even Jon Favreau in a small role. It's a flim that touches on the difficulty of making friendships as you get older. It's a film that touches on the art of the fish taco. It's a film that touches on not cleaning up after your dog. But best of all, it's a film that knows not to touch on too much. However contrived the plot may be, it doesn't take away from the fact that you're going to laugh and enjoy yourself. And isn't that the point?

Rating: 8/10