Mar 20, 2009 5:29 pm US/Eastern
'I Love You, Man'
By Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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The beauty of it lies both in the details of their relationship and the larger chemistry Rudd and Segel share.
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The newly minted "bromance" genre, with its now-familiar mix of the sweet, awkward and raunchy, has become a part of the cultural consciousness through movies like "Superbad," "Pineapple Express" and "Role Models." But it reaches its zenith with this comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel as two completely different guys who form an unlikely friendship.
Rudd's Peter Klaven, a sensitive real estate agent who's about to get married, realizes he has no male pals when he's forced to ponder his choice for best man. Segel's Sydney Fife enters his life as the most charming force of nature.
The formula is pretty predictable in this latest film from director John Hamburg ("Along Came Polly"), which he co-wrote with Larry Levin. But the beauty of it lies both in the details of their relationship and the larger chemistry Rudd and Segel share. It's actually a rather bold concept to explore in a movie that's so clearly intended for the mainstream, and for teen and 20something men in particular. "I Love You, Man" dares to get to the heart of intimate male friendships — or even, as the title suggests, love — the kind of thing most guys don't exactly feel comfortable discussing.
We're onto something true and honest here, which is why it's so disappointing to see the film repeatedly cater to the lowest common denominator with vomit and flatulence jokes. (It also makes the mistake of squandering the comic talents of veterans Jane Curtin and J.K. Simmons in barely-there supporting parts as Rudd's parents.) R for pervasive language, including crude and sexual references. 105 min. Three stars out of four.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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