Movie Review: I Love You, Man
A girl I was dating once told me she was concerned with a friendship I had with another guy because she was suspicious of how close we were. She didn’t understand that he and I were “like soul-mates”. Not that you should ever tell a lady friend of any kind something like this, mind you–you’re really asking for trouble; but, you know, I was young and stupid. She took it the wrong way. She thought I might have homosexual leanings. But it was nothing like that at all. Put it up on the chalkboard: We don’t understand women, and women don’t understand men. But it’s not really the whole “what they’re thinking” bit that’s all that complicated. It’s just that we don’t want to see eye to eye a lot of times. It’s uncomfortable, and that’s out of fear. She might have had every right to think what she did since I didn’t explain it to her. I might have had every right to think she was being a child for simplifying it so much.
The conundrum of this situation is why “I Love You, Man” may be my favorite romantic (or I guess I should say, “bromantic”) comedy of the 21st century. It takes that very awkward balance of having a passionate, caring, and deep relationship with a woman along with having a platonic, caring, and deep relationship with a man. It begins with Peter Klaven (played deliciously unstable and weird by Paul Rudd) who has little to no guy friends, because he’s always been a “girlfriend guy”, as he’s called by his girlfriend, whom he’s just proposed to (she said yes). Zooey, played wonderfully by Rashida Jones (“The Office”, “Freaks & Geeks”), is concerned that Peter has no Best Man for their wedding. Peter goes to his gay brother, who knows even more about straight men than gay men (wouldncha know?) who tells him to set up a series of “man-dates” in order to find his guy mate so he can have a Best Man.
Predictably, the film progresses into a sort of parallel universe of romantic vernacular when Peter meets Sydney Fife at one of his open houses (he’s a real estate agent trying to sell Lou Ferrigno’s house), and the two hit it off almost immediately. Sydney, played by Jason Segel in possibly my favorite character for him since Nick on “Freaks & Geeks”, is a laid back guy who is a man’s man, and is the perfect “fit” for Peter. The two of them start seeing so much of each other, in fact, that Zooey gets a bit worried that she’s “losing him”. Not to homosexuality, mind you, the film is smart enough not to devolve itself into a “Hey Let’s Do Gay Comedy!” onslaught; rather, she just thinks she’s losing the man she’s going to marry because he’s developed a friendship with someone else. But Sydney does a few things that upset the chemistry, and the two have a falling out, and Peter is left again with no broheim for his wedding.
But bromantic comedies are just like romantic comedies so I think you know how it all ends. Everybody dies!
No, okay. Anyway, the film really does deliver and it clicks on all cylinders, having fun with itself while also telling a very honest tale about love and friendship and all of that sugary sweet stuff that these movies are made of. But it has enough of that raunchy twist to make it workable and not something guys would want to steer clear of. In fact, I think a lot of guys could relate to this movie just as much as a girl could. Maybe this is the one movie that brings us all together?
…right?
All right, let’s move on. The film features other great performances, too, such as the always hilarious and sexy Jaime Pressly as the best friend of Zooey. Her husband, played by Jon Favreau, is a treat as an angry, scoffing malcontent who likes playing poker and mostly hates everyone else, especially Peter (for a reason I won’t give away but it’s somewhat understandable). Thomas Lennon gives an amusing performance as one of the failed man-dates, as does his former “The State” mate, Joe Lo Truglio. And of course, J. K. Simmons can never do wrong, and he delivers an understated funny performance as Peter’s dad.
As you can tell I enjoyed this movie thoroughly, and although it does have some scenes that you will have to accept as simply characters being just that (Slapping the bass, for instance), for me it never lost itself as some recent comedies have (ahem, “Pineapple Express”) and never forgets the heart of the matter. It’s a fun movie, and it’s a much needed get-away movie when you just need two hours to escape.
My rating: 
Family value: The film is best suited for adults since the language is fairly strong, but the teenage kids may find this irresistible so keep that in mind.
Okay, so my husband read your review of the movie, so based on this being “Christian” Dads…I assumed there would be pretty straight forward information. The movie has a LOT of vile sexual comments…not appropriate for Christians in my opinion (and I have a pretty wide margin as an ex Alaskan bartender), but to even suggest that ANY teenager should watch this is just wrong. Please LISTEN to the actual stuff that is being said in a movie before you call it a “fun” movie promoted as a CHRISTIAN opinion! Language I can handle, but the blatent statements that were sexually based were not acceptable. Especially when I sat down with my teenage daughter to watch it, expecting it to be along the lines of “Hot Rod” or “Blades of Glory”. This movie has potential to be funny if you have zero moral compass…but then this site should not be advertised with Christ’s name attached to it! Thanks…Tammy
I never suggested it for teenagers, I said they may find it irresistible and to keep that in mind. My “family value” rating has nothing to do with what I’m telling you to do or not to do; I’m giving you an idea of what to expect, and I clearly stated this is for adults. These reviews are opinion only; and I never said anything about this being a Christian movie. The movie’s rated R. I would think that’d be a dead giveaway that it has material that would be considered unsuitable for younger viewers.
You may want to consult more than one source before judging something fit or unfit for viewing.
I know you didn’t promote this as a ‘Christian’ movie…you gave an opinion based on a ‘Christian’ perspective. My humor is more off color than it should be for a Christian and I admit to lack of maturity in that area. Still, the graphic remarks the guy made at the beginning of the movie while viewing the computer…and then later the discussion of the main characters bedroom do’s and don’ts…to me that isn’t even a ‘gray’ area okay for any Christian. Not when we have so many venues of sexual deviancy shoved at us every day. If you had said “crude/graphic sexual humor” I would have never let it in my house. Not all Christians are offended by the same things…we are all at different places in our walk with Jesus. That being said…I don’t have any right to decide what is okay for anyone but me and my family. I am truly sorry for coming on so strong a finger-pointing. Please just be a little more informative on the nature of the ‘adult’ themes if you are able. I laughed at a lot of things in the movie, but other things were too over the top for me. 40 Year Old Virgin…my son tried to get me to watch it (he’s 21) and within 10 minutes was too embarrassed to watch it with his Christian mother because he ‘heard’ it differently with me sitting next to him. How would you have worded the review if you could have tangibly seen Jesus sitting with you as you watched it, and later wrote your review? Will you invite your Pastor and his wife to come for dinner and watch it with them as a “fun movie and a much needed escape”? If you would, then you gave an honest review based on who you are…if you would not…well, then you may understand my point a little better. God Bless You and your willingness to review movies for us in the first place. Thank you. Sincerely, Tammy
I appreciate that, Tammy. I always appreciate readers and anyone willing to comment. I must point out that the perspective I use is that of a film critic first and foremost. I think you will see in other reviews that I try to be as fair as possible to the content, and I guess in some cases, I don’t let on about everything that may be inappropriate. I should’ve made it more known about the language, for instance, especially in this case. I’m pretty sure I mentioned the raunchiness of “The Hangover”, since I knew it’d be a popular “guy” movie of the summer. I know my audience here is a Christian one, but I know there are all kinds of Christians and I don’t know who approves of what all of the time. There are always going to be different views and opinions. But I will keep everyone in mind for my future reviews and I hope you continue reading. Thanks again, Tammy.
christiandads should think of more appropriate movies to discuss on this site. I am amazed of all the parents that sit down w/their children and watch movies like this.