Review of I Love You, Man (2009) by Harry W — 30 Nov 2013

I Love You, Man is one of the rare cases where a cinematic film is delivered like a sitcom and actually works.

I Love You, Man takes the minor elements of a romantic comedy and puts them into the context of a buddy comedy and takes the cliche themes and flips them around so that suddenly they're original again and fit into the comedic context of the story well.

I Love You, Man is in no way perfect. Its plot is very basic and unoriginal, its dynamics lack creativity and really the only source of life comes from the talented cast. Luckily enough each of the three main cast members are talented enough to secure a single star each for their fine efforts.

All the praise in I Love You, Man can be put into its cast, because they single handedly make the story move as if it were a real story. And it moves so organically and naturally that it just comes off as a heartwarming experience that people can learn from.

For starters, Paul Rudd gives one of his more thoughtful performances because his character feels legitimate. We actually get a feel for him about how he is feeling as he first experiences a close friendship and the complicated effect it has on him as a person. His natural line delivery and sweet charisma is what makes it the performance that it is, and it's a fine one. He really puts his all into I Love You, Man, but it essentially feels like he doesn't even have to because its like he's portraying himself. I Love You, Man is a film I would recommend to any Paul Rudd fan.

Jason Segel also is great, because the natural comedic talent he has developed over the years through the television show How I Met Your Mother and through movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall flows through him as smoothly as a gentle river that his performance, strong line delivery and fine chemistry with Paul Rudd makes it seem like they are in fact legitimate friends, and believing it makes it all the more better. Jason Segel is the funniest part of I Love You, Man and he always manages to brighten up the screen when he appears on it.

And although her role is small, the natural charm of Rashida Jones that audiences witnessed on the hilarious show The Office and on Parks & Recreation transitions well onto the cinematic screen in I Love You, Man and also has a fine and organic line delivery which is friendly and interesting, particularly when she's on touchy topics because we see a real spirit in her which comes so finely that it deserving of a positive noting. Her beauty and ability to create chemistry well is surprisingly effective though I should have expected nothing less, and she is a very attractive and genial presence. Plus there is no focus on her sex appeal so its easy to take her seriously.

And working with fine direction and a decent script, I Love You, Man is just a sweet and insightful buddy comedy which is nothing more than basic and features a talented cast.