So it's been a pretty terrible week with nothing going right, so I decided to escape my problems and go see I Love You, Man at the budget theater and boy was this exactly what I needed. Over the past few years, there's been a resurgence of the R rated comedy thanks mostly to the Apatow gang. And while Judd had nothing to do with this particular film, this is one of the best comedic movies I've seen, right up there with The 40 Year Old Virgin. Those that know me, know that that is high praise.
This film sees Paul Rudd get his first true leading role as Peter Klaven, a recently engaged guy, who realizes he doesn't really have a best friend. Peter's quest for a best man involves one hilarious failure after another before meeting Sydney (Jason Segel), a shoot-from-the-hip dude, who frees Peter of his insecurities. These guys have worked before in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and once again exhibit great chemistry here.
But for as great as Rudd and Segal are, this movie is a comedic success even when they aren't on the screen. This film boasts an embarassment of riches when it comes to the comedic talent in this cast. You have SNL vets like Andy Samberg and Jane Curtain. You have guys from The State like Thomas Lennon and Joe Lo Truglio. As well as other familiar faces like J.K. Simmons, Jaime Pressley, Jon Faverau, and Lou Ferrigno adding their presence to the film. Everybody is hilarious here, yet they have a purpose to the story. These are not cameos for the sake of filling out a thin script. These actors are funny in their brief parts, while remaining organic to the storytelling.
I left out one key cast member because I wanted to single her out. Rashida Jones plays Paul Rudd fiancee in the film and is just phenomenal. Similar to Elizabeth Banks, she has emerged over the past couple of years as that rare breed of sweet, sexy, and funny. She anchors the film and makes you have a rooting interest in her relationship with Rudd. Unlike say Katherine Heigl, who was just a bitch with a pretty face and had no real comedic timing in Knocked Up. That might be a potshot at Heigl, but I don't care. Going back to Rashida Jones, though, I cannot say enough good things about her and I hope she continues to get movie roles (or at least more to do on Parks and Recreation).
The relationship between Rudd and Jones that centers this film makes I Love You, Man a unique movie. This is a rare 'romantic comedy' that I think is equally appealing to men and women. So many terrible romcoms get the distinction of 'chick flicks' because they're so saccharine and ridiculous that no self respecting man would ever want to see them. But we've also lately had films like Knocked Up, which are more slanted to the male perspective and the female characters come off looking bad in them. Here, the relationship is so realistic that both genders can appreciate what the characters go through. The comedy is also balanced so that one side isn't the brunt of all the jokes. Yes, some of the humor may be ridiculous at times, but in general the situations presented here are extremely relatable.
I tried to point out at least one flaw in my reviews, but I'm having trouble coming up with one here. If anything, I guess I maybe would have liked a bit more background on Sydney's character, but I don't feel it was essential. He just has some interesting quirks that could have been explored further. The story works as it is and delving further into his character would have just been some additional padding. Of course, I could complain about wanting to see more from all of the characters, but that would just be greedy on my part.
It's not clear yet when this is set to come out on DVD, but I cannot urge you enough to check it out if you haven't already. If you've got a special someone in your life, it's a great date movie. And if you're flying solo like me, the film has nonstop laughs to make it equally enjoyable. It may be cliched, but I'm not afraid to say it; I love this movie! Grade: A
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