How can a man be the perfect boyfriend and hang out with the guys or be in tune with his feminine side without being a complete wimp? That’s the question that Peter Klaven, a lovely but socially inept, real estate agent desperately needs to find answers to. With plenty of laughs, cringy moments, and even a few revelations, this is one of the best comedies about male friendship to come to the screens in a while.
Athlough I Love You, Man is certainly a bromcom women will also enjoy it as the film reveals that apart from some obvious differences male friendships can suffer some of the same pitfalls as female friendships - how to meet new people, to ring or not to ring, being too much in each other’s pockets, or letting friendships get in the way of your love life.
The film, written and directed by John Hamburg (Along Came Polly, co-writer of Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Zoolander ), begins with Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd ) getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey (Rashida Jones ) who adores her ‘very giving’ husband-to-be. However, while Zooey has plenty of gal-pals to celebrate with Peter realises that he has no male friend close enough to even serve as his best man.
He embarks on a mission to find a mate by going on some awkward and strange man-dates, the rules of which Peter seems to struggle with; it provides some very funny moments especially when he breaks rule number one by going for a meal (sends all the wrong signals! ).
It is only while attempting to sell Lou Ferrigno’s (Aka The Hulk ) house that things seem to pick up. He meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segal ), a charming, opinionated, and cool surfer-dude type and they hit it off finding common ground in their love of rock band Rush, a band no one else seems to have heard of. During some male bonding moments, shy Peter tries to find the dude inside - his attempts to come up with some man-banter results in some really funny alien speak. Hamburg really knows how to play this up without overdoing it. Peter also learns the results of confiding in his new best mate who chooses a family gathering to advise Zooey to give ‘you know what’ back. What are mates for?
As the friendship gets stronger Peter’s relationship with Zooey suffers as he finds it difficult to know how to share his time, to have a best pal, and also be a good fiance. I suppose that’s what makes this comedy a winner as it will appeal to men and women alike. A definite go see.
Verdict: 4.5/5
