The Bromantic Comedy at it's Best

Rating: 8/10 (12 September 2009)

I was a fan of Paul Rudd from what I'd seen of him in supporting roles but I was leery to see if he could pull off leading status (this was before I'd seen ROLE MODELS). I knew Jason Segel was good for it from the hilarious FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and had no worries on his part. Thankfully, when I originally caught this movie in theaters, I was more than satisfied. For those not familiar, the film throws a twist on the over-played romantic comedy, twisting the plot into what's been dubbed a "bro-mantic" comedy. Rudd is Peter Klaven, a man who finds himself newly engaged but, having no close male friends, has no Best Man. So, he goes on the hunt, engaging in "man-dates" to find the dude to stand by his side for his big event. He comes across Sydney Fife (Segel) and his problems appear solved until his new friendship begins affecting his relationship.
Being that this film is a comedy, the important question is: "Is it funny?" The answer: very much yes. It turns the concept of a romantic comedy upside-down with the idea of a man searching for a best friend, though all the usual elements are recognizable. The casting is superb. I enjoyed Paul Rudd in this film and he's proved he's got leading star material but I'll admit, his character was so awkward at points that I was embarrassed for him, hah. You can't help but sympathize with a guy who's desperate to find a friend and makes a fool of himself trying to appear cool. Segel was hilarious as Fife, the laid-back "manly man", and was a total scene-stealer. Just as impressive as the main cast were the supporters: Thomas Lennon, J.K. Simmons, Andy Samberg, Jon Favreau, Lou Ferrigno...it seems as if the casting department went out of their way to reel in the high-quality comedy.
There are times when the plot becomes a bit predictable, but what do you expect? We've seen the plot a million times before. It's the comedic starpower and clever writing that help this funny gem stand out from its predecessors. It's also got plenty of Rush for those classic rock fans out there. This movie is a romantic comedy for men, one we can stomach and be ensured that we'll get plenty of laughs. And yes, it even has a few of those touching moments to keep it authentic. I'd have to rank this movie as one of the funniest of 2009; give it a shot.