I LOVE YOU, MAN (DreamWorks)
Written and directed by John Hamburg
I guess it could be worse. Last year this time we were in the mitts of one of the biggest box office slumps Hollywood has seen in recent memory. Of course, it all depends on what you view as a slump, but for me, when films like DOOMSDAY get released for no good reason like it did last year, we might be in a slump. That means, there’s nothing better to throw out there and the funny thing is, this happens almost every year leading up to the late April, early May blockbuster push. Its then and only then that I see the year officially beginning, so maybe most producers use this same notion, choosing to wait a few more weeks to release their film. Rarely do we see a gem or sleeper come out this time of year and if we do, I doubt five people you know ever heard of it. That’s the reality of it and reason why it’s so hard to get excited about anything in theaters right now, especially when it was just two months ago that we were in the middle of one of the best Oscar season’s in recent memory. I call it a post-Oscar hangover and until I see something truly worthwhile, I won’t waste a lot of time on what is out in theaters currently. Sure, WATCHMEN is great and all, but it came out too early in the year and not enough people went to see it, leaving it to waste away with any other garbage that is being thrown around at the box office these days. And that’s too bad, as it was truly a unique and very powerful experience on the big screen. Nevertheless, with several weeks to go before anything really worthwhile is released, it’s nice to see a comedy like I LOVE YOU, MAN come out, as it makes a strong case for being quite entertaining in this all too often ‘down’ time of year.
The story in I LOVE YOU, MAN is simple, but it’s a comedy, so that actually is a good thing. Last thing any comedy needs is a story that makes you think and luckily with the one here, there’s no time to in between all the well-timed humor. And all of it centers on Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), a blue-collar real estate agent who has everything going for him. Peter had the great job, the great home and an even greater fiancée, but something was missing. And with only weeks before the wedding, that something was proving to be quite the missing link, friends. That’s right, somehow Peter has made it this far in his life without a core group of friends and until now, never really gave it much thought. So, the race began to find come friends and hopefully find one of them worthy enough to be his best man at his wedding. And after a string of unsuccessful so-called ‘man dates,’ Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) stumbled into one of Peter’s open houses. At first, there didn’t seem to be anything too promising, especially after Peter found out why Sydney was even there, but something intrigued Peter and a short time later, the two hooked up and started “hanging.” Next thing you know, they were jamming to Rush in Sydney’s “man-den” and meeting up for lunch at the beach. Things were going so well that Peter asked Sydney to be his best man, but after days and days of endless “guy time”, Peter’s fiancée Zooey (Rashida Jones) started to grow jealous. And the fallout would not only send this once happy ending into a tailspin, but threaten the very core of Peter and Zooey’s love, ultimately leading to a predictable, yet heartfelt conclusion full of laughs.
On the surface, the cast here is about as recognizable as one found in your local off-Broadway series show. Sure, many will know Paul Rudd, but won’t remember from where and when they are finally given a couple obvious hints, they still might have to think about it. Sure, he’s been in a couple of the better comedies the past several years like THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN and KNOCKED UP, but for the most part, his roles never stand out as this one in I LOVE YOU, MAN did. In fact, the last time I saw Rudd with this much screen time was in the film that put him on the map, CLUELESS. That’s right, the film many guys won’t admit they like and the film many girls won’t be able to turn off, if it comes on TBS one afternoon. Rudd was great in that film, but given its premise, a role I guess didn’t propel him into any sort of stardom. So, some 13 years later we find him again in a comedy, but this time it’s all his and at least to me, you couldn’t have found a better role for this undervalued actor. Rudd has this way about him that I doubt anyone else but him could pull off. And that’s this certain quirky humor and body movement, where you can’t help but laugh and be a little uncomfortable watching. It reminds me of pretty much any episode of THE OFFICE, where the moments are so uncomfortable to endure and yet, you can’t take your eyes off the screen. That’s Rudd here and the supporting cast played off it so well, that it made each moment of humor that much better.
Supporters like Jason Segel , who some might have seen in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, while others like me know him well from the hit TV show HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. This guy is good and he and Rudd provide for some truly funny scenes that include some of the best catch phrases. Adding to Segel was a host of other fine acts like Rashida Jones (THE OFFICE), Jamie Pressly (MY NAME IS EARL), Andy Samberg (SNL) and even J.K. Simmons (JUNO); all who fit in quite nicely to the story and was just the right mix to Segel and Rudd. Having said that, possibly the one guy who won’t be mentioned, but should, is Jon Favreau, who made his presence known in each and every short moment he popped onto screen for.
When it comes to comedies, its hard to judge what truly is funny or not, since so many of us have different taste in humor. But, I would think I LOVE YOU, MAN falls under the umbrella for everyone, as it moves from one hilarious moment to the next, thanks to the crafty direction and will of John Hamburg, who also helped write the script. The end result is a comedy better than expected and one you can feel good about referring other people too.
B+
Written and directed by John Hamburg
I guess it could be worse. Last year this time we were in the mitts of one of the biggest box office slumps Hollywood has seen in recent memory. Of course, it all depends on what you view as a slump, but for me, when films like DOOMSDAY get released for no good reason like it did last year, we might be in a slump. That means, there’s nothing better to throw out there and the funny thing is, this happens almost every year leading up to the late April, early May blockbuster push. Its then and only then that I see the year officially beginning, so maybe most producers use this same notion, choosing to wait a few more weeks to release their film. Rarely do we see a gem or sleeper come out this time of year and if we do, I doubt five people you know ever heard of it. That’s the reality of it and reason why it’s so hard to get excited about anything in theaters right now, especially when it was just two months ago that we were in the middle of one of the best Oscar season’s in recent memory. I call it a post-Oscar hangover and until I see something truly worthwhile, I won’t waste a lot of time on what is out in theaters currently. Sure, WATCHMEN is great and all, but it came out too early in the year and not enough people went to see it, leaving it to waste away with any other garbage that is being thrown around at the box office these days. And that’s too bad, as it was truly a unique and very powerful experience on the big screen. Nevertheless, with several weeks to go before anything really worthwhile is released, it’s nice to see a comedy like I LOVE YOU, MAN come out, as it makes a strong case for being quite entertaining in this all too often ‘down’ time of year.
The story in I LOVE YOU, MAN is simple, but it’s a comedy, so that actually is a good thing. Last thing any comedy needs is a story that makes you think and luckily with the one here, there’s no time to in between all the well-timed humor. And all of it centers on Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), a blue-collar real estate agent who has everything going for him. Peter had the great job, the great home and an even greater fiancée, but something was missing. And with only weeks before the wedding, that something was proving to be quite the missing link, friends. That’s right, somehow Peter has made it this far in his life without a core group of friends and until now, never really gave it much thought. So, the race began to find come friends and hopefully find one of them worthy enough to be his best man at his wedding. And after a string of unsuccessful so-called ‘man dates,’ Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) stumbled into one of Peter’s open houses. At first, there didn’t seem to be anything too promising, especially after Peter found out why Sydney was even there, but something intrigued Peter and a short time later, the two hooked up and started “hanging.” Next thing you know, they were jamming to Rush in Sydney’s “man-den” and meeting up for lunch at the beach. Things were going so well that Peter asked Sydney to be his best man, but after days and days of endless “guy time”, Peter’s fiancée Zooey (Rashida Jones) started to grow jealous. And the fallout would not only send this once happy ending into a tailspin, but threaten the very core of Peter and Zooey’s love, ultimately leading to a predictable, yet heartfelt conclusion full of laughs.
On the surface, the cast here is about as recognizable as one found in your local off-Broadway series show. Sure, many will know Paul Rudd, but won’t remember from where and when they are finally given a couple obvious hints, they still might have to think about it. Sure, he’s been in a couple of the better comedies the past several years like THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN and KNOCKED UP, but for the most part, his roles never stand out as this one in I LOVE YOU, MAN did. In fact, the last time I saw Rudd with this much screen time was in the film that put him on the map, CLUELESS. That’s right, the film many guys won’t admit they like and the film many girls won’t be able to turn off, if it comes on TBS one afternoon. Rudd was great in that film, but given its premise, a role I guess didn’t propel him into any sort of stardom. So, some 13 years later we find him again in a comedy, but this time it’s all his and at least to me, you couldn’t have found a better role for this undervalued actor. Rudd has this way about him that I doubt anyone else but him could pull off. And that’s this certain quirky humor and body movement, where you can’t help but laugh and be a little uncomfortable watching. It reminds me of pretty much any episode of THE OFFICE, where the moments are so uncomfortable to endure and yet, you can’t take your eyes off the screen. That’s Rudd here and the supporting cast played off it so well, that it made each moment of humor that much better.
Supporters like Jason Segel , who some might have seen in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, while others like me know him well from the hit TV show HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. This guy is good and he and Rudd provide for some truly funny scenes that include some of the best catch phrases. Adding to Segel was a host of other fine acts like Rashida Jones (THE OFFICE), Jamie Pressly (MY NAME IS EARL), Andy Samberg (SNL) and even J.K. Simmons (JUNO); all who fit in quite nicely to the story and was just the right mix to Segel and Rudd. Having said that, possibly the one guy who won’t be mentioned, but should, is Jon Favreau, who made his presence known in each and every short moment he popped onto screen for.
When it comes to comedies, its hard to judge what truly is funny or not, since so many of us have different taste in humor. But, I would think I LOVE YOU, MAN falls under the umbrella for everyone, as it moves from one hilarious moment to the next, thanks to the crafty direction and will of John Hamburg, who also helped write the script. The end result is a comedy better than expected and one you can feel good about referring other people too.
B+
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