"I Love You, Man" movie review

This week I'll be looking at the romantic comedy, I Love You, Man ( R). In the film Paul Rudd stars as a recently engaged man who doesn't happen to have any close male buddies. In search of a best man for his wedding Rudd crosses the paths with the eccentric character played by Jason Segal. Rashida Jones, Jamie Pressely, John Favreau and Andy Samburg costar in the film.

I Love You, Man is an enjoyable romantic comedy. This isn't a Judd Apatow production but it definitely shows his influence. The movie is a balanced meshing of the crude (language-wise) with the sincere. The movie lacks being consistently funny but there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Overall the film is quite entertaining and will satisfy moviegoers of both genders. Yes, this is a good date film. It's not quite on the same level as last spring's romantic comedy hit, Forgetting Sarah Marshall but it's definitely one of the better films playing at local movie theaters.

In a lot of ways the movie is more “bromantic comedy” than romantic comedy. The film is about the Rudd and Jones character getting married but more-to-the point the film's focus is on Rudd and Segal's budding friendship. Some moviegoers might be turned off by a film that actually showcases two dudes forming a lasting friendship but don't be. I say this a lot about movies that I think are good—and it's simply that—I Love You Man works. It succeeds at being a humorous and at times a genuine romantic comedy. The ingredients in the film come to a fruition and produce a winning film.

There's no doubt that much of the film's success comes from the cast. Entertainment Weekly recently proclaimed Paul Rudd to be “the most lovable movie star on the planet”—and it's hard to argue that point. My respect for Rudd has increased steadily over the years. He's not the funniest comedic actor. He's not the most charismatic leading man but he is the most likable—I don't think there's any question about that. It doesn't matter how good or bad a film is. Rudd always enhances it. It's good to see him getting more leading parts because it allows him to more thoroughly demonstrate his everyman charm. The chemistry between him and Jones and him and Segal ground the film in plausible reality. Speaking of Segal, he continues to show that he can be a movie star as well as a TV star. He has an “interesting” screen presence in this movie but for the most part he succeeds in bringing to life a character that could have just been a caricature. This is Rashida Jones's first big break in a major motion picture and she definitely has the look and skill to establish a successful film career. Also stealing every scene they are in are Jamie Pressly and John Favreau. They play the stereotypical married couple that hates each other but their scenes are extremely funny.

I Love You, Man doesn't really suffer from any glaring weaknesses. What might hurt the film is what expectations people might have going into it. The movie is somewhere in between chick flick romantic comedies and rated-R Apatow romantic comedies. But the bottom line is that male and female moviegoers will both enjoy the film. I Love You, Man is a solid spring flick.

Final grade: B+.