Review: "I Love You, Man"

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2009)

For the longest time, I could never really see Paul Rudd holding his own as the lead actor in a comedy. I always felt that he was at his best in a supporting role (i.e., Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, etc.), making the audience listen intently whenever he graced the screen with his presence. However, as a leading man, I just didn't think it could be a good fit. This point seemed to be proved when Over His Dead Body was released to lukewarm reviews, but his starring turn in Role Models got me starting to change my mind. His transformation from perennial back-up guy to leading man is completed by I Love You, Man, where he plays the soon-to-be-married individual desperately trying to find a man to stand by his side on the altar. Jason Segel, fresh off his star-making performance in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, plays that man, who happens to be nearly the exact opposite of Rudd's character. The two immediately click, and Segel takes Rudd through the process of learning to actually be a man, a regular guy's guy. Rashida Jones is great as well, but a good chunk of the laughs belong to the star-filled ensemble cast. From Andy Samberg and J.K. Simmons to Jon Favreau and Lou Ferrigno (as himself), each small role delivers not only laughs but an essential piece of the puzzle leading up to the film's finale which, although cliché and totally expected, is still pretty funny. All in all, this is a great twist on the rom-com genre with a pinch of raunchiness, and it makes for great viewing.