I LOVE YOU, MAN
US, 2009, 105 minutes, Colour.
Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Jason Segal, Andy Samberg, J.K.Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau, Jamie Pressley, Thomas Lennon, Sarah Burns, Rob Huebel.
Directed by John Hamburg
Trailers were quite misleading in indicating what this comedy was about. It is the story of a man about to get married who finds that he has no men friends, no one, apart from his brother, that he could ask to be his best man at his wedding. His fiancee and her friends are concerned, so they all urge him to make some male friends.
This is a very amusing comedy. It is well-written, quite funny at times. It is also very well acted, especially by Paul Rudd who tends to be cast as the friend rather than the hero. He can be both funny and serious and has fine timing for repartee and for facial expressions.
It should be said that, in the recent tradition of Jud Apatow comedies, it begins with the touch of raunchiness (this time in the dialogue) but mellows as it goes on and finishes with an emphasis on moral values, especially commitment. Rudd has appeared in several Apatow comedies as has co-star, Jason Segel, who wrote and acted in the 2008 comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
We have a sympathy for Rudd's character, real estate agent, Peter Klaven, who has a big opportunity for success in selling Lou Ferigno's house (jokes about The Incredible Hulk and a guest appearance by Ferigno himself). After some internet matching attempts (including a funny cameo by Thomas Lennon (who was so eccentric in 17 Again) as a prim closet gay, Peter has made little headway with friendship. He is also goaded by his father, J.K. Simmons, who is a master at outlandish dead-pan (and who could have had some more funny speeches).
At an open house at Ferigno's, he encounters a large, casual man, Sidney Fife (Segel), who attends open house inspections for the spread. They get talking, click and soon become friends. But, Sidney's way of doing things is more than a touch bohemian but Peter finds it quite liberating and is soon spending more and more time with Sidney. Sidney is one of those extraverts who doesn't know what he thinks until he says it, a blurter – which is the final joke of the film during the final credits which should not be missed.
Needless to say, there are some crisis moments, especially with Peter's fiancee, Zooey (Rashida Jones) but, also needless to say, all's well that ends well.
The director is John Hamburg who wrote, amongst others, the screenplays for Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers and Zoolander.
1. A film about a man finding himself, relating well to women, but lacking in self-confidence, trying to discover male friends, a best friend?
2. The Los Angeles settings, homes, offices, real estate business, Lou Ferigno’s mansion, restaurants, wedding preparations? Rock concerts? The musical score?
3. Peter and Zooey, the conversations, the house, the proposal, her telling all her friends and their reactions? His response? Zooey’s girlfriends talking, his having no male friends? No best friend? The meal at home, his father’s raunchy remarks, best friend, his son, the gay son and solidarity? His mother?
4. Peter at work, real estate, Tavin and his rivalry, smooth talking, self-promotion, his face on the urinal soap cakes? The prospect of Lou Ferigno’s mansion Peter, the open house, meeting Sidney, Sidney eating, the conversations diagnosis of the young man not buying the house, breaking wind? The exchange of cards?
5. Peter, his brother helping him, at the gym, the assistant and his high-pitched enthusiasm? The online dating, the very old man and Peter befriending him, later inviting him to the wedding? Doug, prim and prissy, the dinner, the farewell kiss and Peter’s reaction? His mother warning him against having dinners? Doug later meeting him and insulting him? But, still at the wedding?
6. The exchange of cards with Sidney, the meeting up, the restaurant and the food, drinking? Peter confiding in Sidney? Sidney being an easy listener? Brashly talking about his sexual relationship with Zooey? Her later being upset? Cause of tension between them, the explanation about the past, her willingness? The dissatisfaction?
7. The outings with Sidney, walking the dog, the man slipping in the poop, Peter and his enjoying the company?
8. Sidney, easy going, not wanting a commitment, picking up women at the open houses, eating, his house, his set up and Peter’s admiration, the dog? The outings? Asking for the loan? Going to the restaurant, attacking Tavin, comments on Lou Ferigno, Ferigno getting him in a hold? Putting up the billboards – and the humour of the photos of Peter, the various poses? Peter’s reaction, going to Sidney, the break, going to the office, all the phone calls, the contacts, the sales, the promotion of his career? Telling off Tavin?
9. Peter and Barry, Denise and her partner, their continually quarrelling, making up? Peter winning at cards, the beer competition, his being sick over Barry? Barry and his antagonism?
10. Hailie, friends with Zooey, the outing with Sidney, the golf game, her hitting him, her walking off in exasperation?
11. Zooey, wanting time out, going to stay with Denise, Peter upset, coming to apologise, the reconciliation?
12. The preparation for the wedding, the places? Not inviting Sidney?
13. The wedding, everything ready, Zoe phoning Sidney, on his bike, arrival, becoming best man, the range of people at the wedding including Lou Ferigno and Doug?
14. And happy ending, the story about friendship, male bonding, love and commitment?
