Loved "I Love You, Man"

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2009)

In "I Love You, Man" Sydney (Jason Segal) gives an engagement dinner toast for aghast Peter (Paul Rudd). Sydney says to Peter's fiancé Zooey (pretty Rashida Jones), "Give it back. Return the favor." Later Peter asks bud Sydney to a golfing double date with Zooey's best friend Hailey (hilariously uptight Sarah Burns). Peter tells Sydney that he owes him for asking Zooey to give Peter oral sex in his dinner toast. Sydney confesses, "You have a valid point." The story by Director John Hamburg and Writer Larry Levin is brilliantly hysterical. The narrative threads whether it is man dates or air guitar at a Rush concert, are inventive and drop dead funny. Where else would you hear Zooey say to Peter, "Who picks a f****ing fight with Lou Ferrigno?" Paul Rudd has become the genius comic straight man in romantic comedies. Rudd and Jason Segal are a classic comedic team. Director Hamburg keeps it loose in this modern day "bromance". He gets hysterical performances from his entire cast including Jamie Pressly, J.K. Simmons, Tevin Downey, Andy Simmons, and Jane Curtin. As big as its laughs, Hamburg and Levin give "I Love You, Man" a bigger heart.
Peter is a realtor in Los Angeles. When Peter introduces Zooey as his fiancé to his family, his gay brother Robbie (comfortable and cool Andy Samberg) tells Zooey, "Peter's always been a girlfriend guy." His Dad (brilliantly goofy J.K. Simmons) says, "Peter never really had a best friend." It soon becomes obvious that there may be something glaringly off with perfect Peter. Peter over hears Zooey and her friends at a girls' night at their place. Denise (funny sexy Jamie Pressly) points out that Peter not having any buddies is kind of creepy, and that he may become "clingy".
Peter realizes that he must make friends with guys. Besides he has to find a Best Man for his wedding. Zooey is supportive in Peter's man dates. To that end Peter enrolls fitness trainer Robbie as his man date mentor. His first man date is a near disaster. Guys poker night with Denise's husband Barry (funny Jon Favreau) is nightmarishly funny.
At an open house for his client Lou Ferrigno, Peter meets Sydney. Buddy inept Peter seems to connect with Sydney, who admits to coming to the open house for the free food. Apparent carefree slacker Sydney is an investor. They exchange business cards. Now it's up to Peter to man up and ask Sydney to go out and hang. Rudd is genius in his awkwardness in trying way too hard to be one of the guys. Peter and Sydney finally meet up for beer and tacos—they bond. Soon Peter and Sydney are playing bass and guitar to their favorite Rush songs. Concerned Zooey soon wonders if she is losing Peter. Happy-go-lucky bachelor Sydney is not all that he seems. His friends are gradually growing away with family and other responsibilities. As much as Peter needs bro Sydney, Sydney is also wanting.
Predictably the Third Act becomes the resolution of Peter's relationship with Zooey and Sydney. Here "I Love You, Man" is surprisingly compassionate. It still maintains hysterical crassness throughout. However, there is something very heartwarming when Peter admits, "I love you, man." Paul Rudd is amazing as Peter, who is doing his best to fit in and make things right. "I Love You, Man" works, because Rudd can be with funny. Jason Segal is natural whacked out, but never over done as Sydney. Rashida Jones is vulnerable charm as Zooey. "I Love You, Man" is one of the funniest and smartest movies of the year.