Judd Apatow is a man who has single handedly defined the bromance genre, although his films generally start out with friends where a main character has a romance developing with a girl. I Love You, Man is a film with a twist, starting out with Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), a man who has always had girlfriends and no real friends. Until the day he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) and bromance blossoms.
John Hamburg’s change in direction provides a sigh of relief as it shows the beauty of true friendship. Paul Rudd does a good job of carrying the first third of the film. He provides quite a few laughs, as well as awesome cameos from Thomas Lennon, Andy Samberg and Joe Lo Truglio. Its not until Jason Segel enters the picture that the film really picks up, playing a free spirited, rush loving, self made man. He provides the companionship Rudd is yearning for.
Jason Segel is a truly understated comedic actor, and his supporting roles in How I Met Your Mother and Knocked Up have stolen the show. You can’t forget the unmissable Lou Ferrigno; The Incredible Hulk himself is never a sight for sore eyes. Although the basis for the film is relatively original, the plot is pretty standard, man falls in love, and they fall out, and then make up at the end. Even though its friend love, this standard formula has worked countless times in the past, so why not use it again?
I Love You, Man easily fits in with the status quo of pun driven American comedies that are coming out these days. It will never be remembered like Anchorman, or be as highly valued as Superbad, but it is a very funny film and if the recent wave of Hollywood comedies is your thing, then you’ll love it!
Jonathan Teggert