LIFE for Los Angeles estate agent Peter Klaven is good, he has just proposed to his long-term girlfriend Zooey who is busy planning their nuptials.
But Peter (Paul Rudd) soon realises he lacks a circle of male friends to call upon as best man and ushers. This leads him on a series of ‘man dates’ to find new friends, guided by his brother Robbie (Andy Samberg), a confident, assured gay man with a passion for sports, fishing and video games.
I Love You, Man is a hilarious comedy which surveys the emotional fallout when a quintessential, 21st century, 30-something metrosexual is forced to rediscover his masculine side.
Soon woman-chasing slacker Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) gets under Peter’s skin and the pair become best friends, discovering an affinity for the rock group Rush.
But, as the friendship blossoms, Zooey (Rachida Jones) begins to feel a little neglected and Peter is forced to re-evaluate his priorities to ensure everything goes smoothly as his fiancee prepares to walk down the aisle.
Writer and director John Hamburg’s script takes great delight in up-ending convention, milking laughs from unexpected sources while Rudd, as the lead character, makes a series of toe-curling social faux pas.
Peppered with obscenities and ad-libs, I Love You, Man is more tasteful than other comedies of this genre, like The 40 Year Old Virgin and Role Models which also starred Rudd.
This film is both delightful and charming and at times genuinely moving.
STAR RATING ***
