Modern day comedies can be a tough pill to swallow. In a world of poorly written jokes and scripts that lack any degree of intrigue, comedy films have a tendency to be indistinguishable from one to the next. The 2009 John Hamburg piece “I Love You Man” is able to maintain a strong identity in its one-of-a-kind plot and excellent and humor filled script.
“I Love You Man” wins in its ability to take a fresh idea and add solid characters around it. It holds no punches in terms of laughs, and gets the humor ball rolling right from the start.
Most great comedies hail from yesteryear; movies released decades ago that still hold up as classics. “I love You Man” doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a comedy, which is exactly what makes it perfect. After a viewing, you will see it join movies like “The Hangover” and “Ted” as modern day comedic gems.
The films main character is Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) a real estate agent in Los Angeles who gets engaged to Zooey (Rashida Jones) to start the movie.
Peter has always gotten along better with women, including his co-workers, and Zooey’s best friends Denise and Hailey (Jaime Pressly and Sarah Burns). This, along with Peter’s constant relocating as a child, has prevented him from having any really close friends of his own.
After overhearing a conversation between Zooey and her friends that would make anyone want to jump from the roof of the US Bank Tower (you will be uncomfortable just watching the scene) Peter sets out to find a best friend that can also serve the role of best man at the wedding.
The first part of the film depicts Peter as he embarks on a quest to find a platonic male friend – a completely original and truly funny concepts broken down by Peter’s inability to fit in with typical guys, like his obnoxious co-worker Tevin (Rob Huebel) or Denise’s alpha male husband Barry (John Favreau).
With Sydney acting as the best friend Peter never had, Peter is finally able to have the male bonding that his life has been missing. But when Sydney’s antics start to become invasive, it may be too much for Zooey to take.
“I Love You Man” hits on all levels. Its a well written story with an unusual concept and is perfectly hysterical and complete from start to finish with a fluid and never lagging flow.
The rapport between Rudd and Segel is a thing of beauty, with the contrast between the two men (Peter timid and Sydney anything but) dissolved by their flawless chemistry together.
Rashida Jones broke into the comedy world with her role on televisions “The Office” and has since become a formidable player in the comedic genre, and plays a perfect Zooey – a woman who is deeply in love with Peter and wants him to be happy, but one that will not stand for the tomfooleries of Sydney.
The rest of the supporting cast is ripe with talented folks you may not be able to readily identify by name, but are faces you have doubtless seen numerous times before. These characters ensure that each and every scene is strong and funny, something often missing from films where the big name star is the only comical character on screen.
“I Love You Man” is a funny film, and one that will leave you wanting more.
– by Matt Christopher
1 Comment
Nice review except for Ted being comic genius.