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Web-Exclusive Review: I Love You Man

Alternative Press - Rob Ortenzi on 3/23/09 @ 12:11 PM - altpress.com

COMEDY
I LOVE YOU, MAN (DREAMWORKS)
Stars > Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Jaime Pressly, Lou Ferrigno
Director > John Hamburg
Rating > 4/5
Opens > Mar 20

If it weren't for its incessant profanity and borderline-crude sex jokes, I Love You, Man would be a certified girl-magnet romantic comedy--but it's not. I Love You, Man is a bitingly clever film that doesn't try too hard to be smart, and that's the genius of it. "Girls' guy" Peter Klaven (Rudd) has just proposed to his adorable girlfriend Zooey (Jones), but as the two plan their nuptials it becomes embarrassing clear that Peter's lack of buddies will make for a very lopsided wedding party. So Peter decides to embark on a guy-friend-finding mission with some help from his mother, his gay younger brother and the internet. Inevitably, astonishing levels of awkwardness and homoeroticism ensue--and it's all comedic gold. When Peter meets Sidney Fife (Segel) the film really hits its stride. Sidney is the kind of guy who doesn't pick up after his dog on the sidewalk, tells every girl he meets that she has the same name as his mother and he can rock out to Rush (seriously) for hours on end. Segel's performance as Peter's lovable-but-laughable accidental buddy steals the scene every time. Lou Ferri-who? Sure, cameos from the Incredible Hulk himself were pretty great, but when Segel gives a, um, toast at Peter and Zooey's engagement party, the entire theater will howl with laughter.

The film is as much about finding friends as it is about growing up and balancing an adult relationship with the most immature trappings of dude-dom. What happens when your girlfriend hates your bros? Or your boyfriend seems to only befriend women? Most people encounter these questions, but rarely does real life have such hilarious results.

Even for all its merits, I Love You, Man won't be heralded as a work of cinematic genius, nor will it dramatically shift your worldview or help you perfect your relationship, but it will make you laugh like an idiot. In this economy, that's worth the $8.50. --Jennifer Grathwol

Film Link: http://www.iloveyouman.com

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akissforboston Posted 04.01.09 at 01:58PM
Woot! Everyone should see this movie. It was really good and hilarious. Plus, for the ladies (or some guys..), Jason Segal is a fucking cutie.



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