Review of I Love You, Man (2009) by Russell F — 16 Apr 2012

This movie was hilarious, but also had a genuine sweetness to it. For a non-Apatow movie, it has a lot of ingredients that make up an Apatow-type movie but betters some of the more recent ones (ie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall & The Pineapple Express--sidebar: I really liked FSM and surprise, surprise, it starred Jason Segel and featured Paul Rudd).

Speaking of Rudd and Segel, from the trailer, you might not think they'd have the best bromantic chemistry, but they do and the movie is even better for it. I wouldn't say they're a new Abbott and Costello, or even a new Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, but I would love to see these guys as a duo in another movie.

Rudd as the ordinary guy with a limited supply of male companionship is a pleasant understated performance, and its nice to see him as the lead after so many of his supporting and bit parts of late (not counting Role Models b/c I haven't seen it mainly b/c of Sean William Scott--liked him in the first 2 American Pies and thats really it).

Segel's performance is at times over-the-top, but its never too much to make you stop liking him. I'd forgotten how much I liked Rashida Jones. Funny and beautiful. I might just have to watch Parks and Recreation after all, or at least bust out my Office Season 3 DVD's (but skip the episodes where Karen has issues with Pam).

I wish Andy Samberg and J.K. Simmons had more time in the movie, but their parts weren't meant to be that big, and they make do with what they have. All in all, this movie was really good, and I'd go see it again in theaters.

That said, I hope its released on DVD soon, just in case I don't make it back.