Review of I Love You, Man (2009) by Sean L — 25 Mar 2014

When a meek, clean-cut realtor (Paul Rudd, in one of his tamer roles) sets out to select a best man for his upcoming nuptials, it suddenly dawns that his list of male friends is uncomfortably short. His subsequent errand into the best friend dating scene reveals no small number of reinforced stereotypes and awkward, queasy miscommunications.

Rudd's an identifiable guy here, particularly for the crowd that doesn't buy into Budweiser brand of masculinity, but he's so thoroughly, maddeningly passive that the puns occasionally feel staged.

It's funny, with a few genuine laugh-out-loud moments, but also safe like a sitcom given the green light to tinker with a dirty theme or two and actually wrap up its primary storyline. And, considering the wealth of excellent comedians in the supporting cast, that kind of white-washing leads to a mildly wasted opportunity.