Robin PottratzMovie Review: Rudd, Segel and Jones make "I Love You, Man" a blast *** out of 4
April 19th 2009 21:30
I Love You, Man is one of the most formulaic comedies you will ever see. The plot is so predictable and simple that it is completely forgettable and irrelevant...which is why I Love You, Man is so enjoyable. Instead of focusing on the plot, Director John Hamburg (Along Came Polly) just trusts his actors to make something out of nothing...which they do at a very high level.
Paul Rudd delivers the kind of performance that shows that he deserves to be a star as Peter Klaven, a shy real estate agent who has just become engaged to his beautiful girlfriend Zooey, played by a terrific Rashida Jones (a hottie who is also comedically sharp). Peter has a lot on his plate, he is planning a wedding and also has to protect a valuable account (he's selling Lou Ferrigno's house) from a hotshot co-worker (Rob Huebel). Worse than that...as he is planning a wedding, he realizes that he has never had a good guy friend to be his best man.
At the suggestion of his mother (Jane Curtin), Father (JK Simmons) and gay brother (Andy Samberg), Peter goes on platonic "man dates" in order to try and find that special guy who could be his best man...never mind the fact that either his brother or father could easily fill that role for him.
The results of the "man dates" are off the wall hilarious and range from an awkward kiss from a prospect (Thomas Lennon) to Peter Vomiting all over the husband (Deadpan hilarious Jon Favreau) of one of Zoe's friends (Jamie Pressly).
Then during his open house, Peter meets Sidney Fife (Jason Segel), an "investor" who is the definition of cool, from rocking old man sweaters to his ugg boots on the beach. Peter and Sidney bond over fish tacos, corn dogs, and their mutual love of the band Rush. Once their friendship becomes a full on "bromance," you can figure out where I Love You, Man is headed.
Which is why I Love You, Man is all about the comedic performances. Paul Rudd is a sweet and sincere nerd in every sense of the word. He recites out of date "SNL" phrases, can't have a confident conversation on the phone with anyone, and is thrilled when Sidney gives him the dorky nickname of "Pistol." His performance lacks the dry sarcasm and phoniness that has served Rudd well in earlier work...and his Peter Klaven shows he has the range to do more.
Jason Segel makes Sidney an excellent counter to Peter's social awkwardness. He has his own "man cave" complete with a "jerk off station." He routinely hassles anyone who wants him to clean up his dog's poop. He jams in his garage where he tears his shirt off his chest, defends Peter's honor by fighting Lou Ferrigno and gives one of the most awkward speeches in the history of film rehearsal dinners...I'll give you a hint, he uses the phrase "return the favor" multiple times.
Segel makes Sidney an obliviously cool customer with such an ease that it makes me believe he really does have a "man cave" in his home.
All of the supporting players are top notch as well...Pressly and Favreau are terrific sparring partners, Samberg doesn't rely solely on his "aw shucks" scruffiness while gently tiptoeing around gay stereotypes that could have brought the film to an unnecessary standstill, and even Lou Ferrigno gets his gems in.
However Rashida Jones does as much to lift I Love You, Man as the two leads. Anyone who has watched Jones in The Office knows that she is a lovable and non threatening hottie, and she makes it believable that she would fall for a goon like Peter. She also delivers one liners with the speed and confidence of her Apatow created counterparts.
Despite all of that...I Love You, Man belongs to Rudd and Segel. The have a palatable "bromance" (FYI I hate that word) and they are both able to nail what little nuance this basic story presents. They both use the skills they developed at the Apatow hit factory to terrific results and their performances make I Love You, Man a much better film than it really should be...sometimes...just sometimes great comedic actors can do that...sometimes.
Paul Rudd delivers the kind of performance that shows that he deserves to be a star as Peter Klaven, a shy real estate agent who has just become engaged to his beautiful girlfriend Zooey, played by a terrific Rashida Jones (a hottie who is also comedically sharp). Peter has a lot on his plate, he is planning a wedding and also has to protect a valuable account (he's selling Lou Ferrigno's house) from a hotshot co-worker (Rob Huebel). Worse than that...as he is planning a wedding, he realizes that he has never had a good guy friend to be his best man.
At the suggestion of his mother (Jane Curtin), Father (JK Simmons) and gay brother (Andy Samberg), Peter goes on platonic "man dates" in order to try and find that special guy who could be his best man...never mind the fact that either his brother or father could easily fill that role for him.
The results of the "man dates" are off the wall hilarious and range from an awkward kiss from a prospect (Thomas Lennon) to Peter Vomiting all over the husband (Deadpan hilarious Jon Favreau) of one of Zoe's friends (Jamie Pressly).
Then during his open house, Peter meets Sidney Fife (Jason Segel), an "investor" who is the definition of cool, from rocking old man sweaters to his ugg boots on the beach. Peter and Sidney bond over fish tacos, corn dogs, and their mutual love of the band Rush. Once their friendship becomes a full on "bromance," you can figure out where I Love You, Man is headed.
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel bond over Rush in fun "I Love You, Man"
Which is why I Love You, Man is all about the comedic performances. Paul Rudd is a sweet and sincere nerd in every sense of the word. He recites out of date "SNL" phrases, can't have a confident conversation on the phone with anyone, and is thrilled when Sidney gives him the dorky nickname of "Pistol." His performance lacks the dry sarcasm and phoniness that has served Rudd well in earlier work...and his Peter Klaven shows he has the range to do more.
Jason Segel makes Sidney an excellent counter to Peter's social awkwardness. He has his own "man cave" complete with a "jerk off station." He routinely hassles anyone who wants him to clean up his dog's poop. He jams in his garage where he tears his shirt off his chest, defends Peter's honor by fighting Lou Ferrigno and gives one of the most awkward speeches in the history of film rehearsal dinners...I'll give you a hint, he uses the phrase "return the favor" multiple times.
Segel makes Sidney an obliviously cool customer with such an ease that it makes me believe he really does have a "man cave" in his home.
All of the supporting players are top notch as well...Pressly and Favreau are terrific sparring partners, Samberg doesn't rely solely on his "aw shucks" scruffiness while gently tiptoeing around gay stereotypes that could have brought the film to an unnecessary standstill, and even Lou Ferrigno gets his gems in.
However Rashida Jones does as much to lift I Love You, Man as the two leads. Anyone who has watched Jones in The Office knows that she is a lovable and non threatening hottie, and she makes it believable that she would fall for a goon like Peter. She also delivers one liners with the speed and confidence of her Apatow created counterparts.
Despite all of that...I Love You, Man belongs to Rudd and Segel. The have a palatable "bromance" (FYI I hate that word) and they are both able to nail what little nuance this basic story presents. They both use the skills they developed at the Apatow hit factory to terrific results and their performances make I Love You, Man a much better film than it really should be...sometimes...just sometimes great comedic actors can do that...sometimes.
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