“I Love You Man.” – Movie Review.

By Bob Zerull

3 Stars:

Bromance: (n) A strictly platonic relationship between two men (bros).

Thank God they didn’t name this movie “Bromance.” I’m not a fan of that phrase. That said I’ve enjoyed my fair share of bromances. One sticks out though. His name was Jake Buechler. Dave Matthews broke us up. We used to sit around and play guitar, sometimes he’d sit in on drums. We’d play “Yellow Ledbetter” by Pearl Jam, “Hotel California” by the Eagles, “Patience” by Guns N Roses, and “Blind” by Korn. Then he got into The Dave Matthews Band and I can’t stand them. But I do miss him, Jake, not Dave Matthews. One night when we were in high school I spent the night at Jake’s house. We rented inappropriate movies and I fell asleep watching them. When we woke up in the morning he started laughing. I was like what’s so funny? He said, “I came this close to hitting you in the face.” He was masturbating and apparently nearly hit my pillow. He wasn’t trying to hit me, but apparently got a good shot off. That’s how much I hate The Dave Matthews Band, because we stayed friends after that.



Paul Rudd gets a second lead role in a row. At the beginning of “I Love You Man,” Paul’s character proposes to Rashida Jones (“The Office” & “Parks & Recreation”). He’s such a good romantic guy that Jones calls her friends on speaker phone at the same time to tell them the news, with Paul listening in. Hilarity ensues when her friends (unaware that they’re on speaker phone with Rudd listening in) talk in a detailed manner about their sex life.



The one problem Rudd has is that he’s always been a girlfriend guy. She’ll have six bridesmaids and he won’t have any groomsmen. His gay brother played by Andy Samburg (SNL) tries to give Rudd tips on how to meet guys. All the guys he meets are annoying or gay. He gives up looking for a guy. Then, while trying to sell Lou Ferrigno’s house he runs into Jason Segal. Jason Segal immediately lets him know that he’s not interested in the house; rather he just wants the free food. He figured that since it’s Lou Ferrigno’s open house there’s bound to be good free food. Rudd takes a liking to Segal and he’s asks him if he wants to hang out.

Rudd and Segal begin to hang out in Segal’s pleasure palace. Rudd notices that Segal is a huge fan of the band Rush. Segal can play every instrument, but he’s more an axe man while Rudd slaps a little bass. They learn a bunch of different Rush songs. Segal also provides an outlet for Rudd to vent about his fiancé. Ultimately Rudd begins to ditch his fiancé to hang out with Segal and that’s when conflict begins. The conflict is short lived, as this movie ends happy. Unlike those Judd Apatow movies with heart this movie’s happy ending is much more believable than those. The movie is not overly funny, but it definitely has its moments. It is very watchable. I can’t wait to see what Rudd or Segal do next.

BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Email him your thoughts at: bzerull19@gmail.com. Also visit: www.cadaverchristmas.com.