Remember that movie you went to on your third date with Matt or Steve or Gary or whatever his name was? Well, chances are that I Love You, Man is pretty much along the same lines. It's another one of those movies that's about a couple of real nice looking 20-something year-olds who hold glitzy jobs and live in the city. It's got the wit of Juno and the laugh-out-loud-I-just-peed-a-little humor that is comparable to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But that's just the thing: there's nothing really unique about I Love You, Man. After this movie, you'll stand up from your seat, maybe chuckle and say, "Well THAT was funny," and then crack your back before moseying out of the theater. No big.
I Love You, Man is an endearing, engaging love story about a different kind of love. Yes, you guessed it, bromance. When Peter (Paul Rudd), proposes to his girlfriend, Zooey, and realizes he has no one to be his best man, he embarks on a chaotic and comedic journey in search of a man buddy. After a series of seemingly awkward, borderline-gay man dates, he finally finds the laid-back and perpetually cool Sydney Fife (Jason Segel,) who shows him the importance of "guy time" and what it means to be a good pal.
Peter, the main character, is a lovable and sweet natured man who half-expects his friendships with men to be the same as they are with women. His attitude toward male friendships is fun to watch as he blushes and says, "I can't believe you're asking me the last time I masturbated!!" or how he makes vain yet adorable attempts to be hip by flailing a handshake and saying, "See ya, City Slick."
Alternatively, his best buddy protagonist is enjoyable as well, as he proves to be a stark contrast to Peter. While Peter is dorky and innocent, Sydney is cool and straight-up chill. It could be described as cute to watch Peter try to be cool like Sydney, as he "slaps some bass" and drops hints on his BJ-lacking sex life-somehow I think cute wasn't exactly what they were aiming for.
There are several things in this movie, however, that are so fake. Should I start with the fact the engaged couple barely knows each other after only eight months of dating? Eye-rolling, "YeahRITE" lines in the movie such as Zooey's disbelief: "I didn't know you played an instrument!?" and the fact she didn't know Peter never really had guy-friends. It is clear their relationship is still in the rainbows and butterflies stage.
And I probably shouldn't mention the highly unrealistic part in which Sydney comes late to the wedding and shamelessly engages in dialogue with Peter, who is already at the altar across from his bride-to-be. Granted, the movie was never about the wedding anyway but can't we be spared from this ridiculous small talk that slashes through one of the most important moments in a guy's life? Honestly, dudes … Zooey's probably getting a little bit impatient … or apparently not because she keeps smiling through the wedding-stopping bro-convo.
There are many other highly unrealistic shenanigans that come up in this movie. Maybe it adds to the humor, maybe it doesn't. But despite this fact, this movie was pretty decent.
So, if you're bored Friday and want to round up some friends for a flick, I Love You, Man may be one of the best options, especially at the Princess. If you're going with your lover, it may actually be one of the only romantic comedies that appeals more to the boyfriend. So boys, this is the movie to take her to, especially if she dragged you to He's Just Not That Into You. And if you're a guy who doesn't have a girl yet, well … bring your best friend. Buy him a drink. Pat him on the back and don't be afraid to say, "I love you, man."
