Review of How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) by Ben L — 31 Jan 2010

Simon Pegg had got to a point where he was just annoying to watch on screen with his childish humour. I'm not a big fan of Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz - neither I would say are as funny as critics say they are but I do admire their approach.

This film was different - Pegg took a more mature approach and it pays off. I didn't laugh out loud as I thought I would do but I liked Sidney Young (Pegg) to stay true to himself and search for what he wanted in life, which, at first, is not what he thinks.

There are some good turn-in performances from the supporting cast. Kirsten Dunst didn't look like she was being paid for the role this time. She actually looks like she is enjoying herself. Jeff Bridges, not sure what to make of him but I thought it was take it or leave it type of role. Megan Fox, as beautiful as she is, shows what kind of woman she is in real life as well as how awful she is as an actress. There are stories of how bitchy she can be on set. One sequence in the film, SPOILER ALERT, has her fighting with Pegg. It was obvious most of this sequence was done with a double. That aside, I would say it is the best british rom-com since notting hill. Pegg, if you ever read this, please keep your performances like this from now. They are so much better. See this if you like Brit Rom-coms.