I saw an advanced screening of "I Love You, Man"... It was delightful!

Rating: 8/10 (8 March 2009)

For those of you that have already seen an advanced screening of the movie, you will recognize my title as a spin off a quote in the movie.
"I Love You, Man" works extremely well as a comedy and functions on two main levels. While the trailer and all the advertising sets this up as a great "bromance" flick that best buds will go out and see together, the advertising seems to neglect the fact that it can cater to the female market as well with its slight mingling of romantic comedy elements. While it definitely is a buddy movie, there is enough of a romantic element and relationship humor to make it acceptable as a date movie for couples that have been together long enough to know each other's quirks.
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel both turn in above average performances and mesh well together, and Rashida Jones does fairly well considering it seems that she has not deviated much from her acting chops on "The Office". One of the best cameo/smaller roles definitely goes to Jon Favreau as the guy you hate but also can see yourself being. The supporting cast all turn in very good performances (especially the underrated comedic delivery of J.K. Simmons) and serve as the proper springboard to the rest of the movie.
Overall, this is a movie that is well worth your money to go see. The humor is constant, enjoyable, well timed, and not too over the top. Even though it is rated R (and rightfully so for the language) it doesn't feel like your typical dirty comedy that relies on vulgarity for laughs (except in a couple select instances). It doesn't push the comedy too hard and doesn't try to go too far. Because of this, the film gently rolls along unfolding at an enjoyable pace while not rushing any of the elements and seems to roll to a perfectly timed conclusion at 1 hour and 50 minutes. While that is typically long for a comedy, jokes do not seem too stretched out or in-betweens too lulled. I highly encourage everyone to go see this film for a great laugh.