Review of How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) by Russell G — 06 Mar 2014

I am not sure why such a worthwhile movie lost so much money and finds itself swept under the rug. This underrated movie achieves the right balance of comedy and romance. It does not rush the pace too much, which keeps it from falling into typical rom-com clichés and dips.

More importantly, the slower pace enables the characters to unfold gradually and develop some nice complexities. It has a deep cast with Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, Megan Fox, and Gillian Anderson, all of whom are great fits in their roles.

Megan Fox pokes fun at herself playing the stereotypical Hollywood starlet almost too well. I particularly enjoy how Simon Pegg branches out in this one, playing a snarky and arrogant troublemaker with hidden integrity and creativity.

His crass remarks, quick comebacks and physical humor carry the movie for sure. The comedy comes first but there is pleasant substantive quality in the mix as well.