I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy - Page 4

NitroJMS · 04-01-09, 09:09 PM

I posted my review to my blog, cinamerica.com. Basically thought it was very good overall, with strong chemistry between Rudd and Segal.

KillerCannibal · 04-06-09, 10:23 AM

Finally checked this out over the weekend and I loved it. Very funny, lots of great gags but nothing too over the top. Rudd has found a groove as of late, and his films are consistently hilarious. Segel was perfect. I kept looking at him as playing an older version of his character on Freaks & Geeks, right down to the Rush obsession. I was especially pleased to see a couple members of The State getting some good supporting roles. I'd rank it above Sarah Marshall and on par with Role Models. They could have trimmed a little bit, but nothing stood out as being unnecessary.

FWIW, my review:

Spoiler:

Paul Rudd has been on a serious hot streak as of late. After spending the better part of a decade being out of cinemas, Rudd has spent the last few years nestled deep in the bosom of Judd Apatow and his comedic troupe. Who knew the guy that played Tommy Doyle in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers had the chops for comedy? After he played some strong supporting roles in Anchorman, Walk Hard (easily one of the least funny comedies I’ve ever seen) and Knocked Up, Rudd moved on to taking over the lead with 2008’s surprise hit Role Models, one of the funniest comedies I’ve seen in a while. Now he’s back, along with his Forgetting Sarah Marshall co-star Jason Segel, for I Love You, Man, a bromance comedy with just the right balance of humor and heart.

Rudd stars as Peter Klaven, a real estate agent who’s been spending most of his life devoting time to his girlfriends and, as a result, he doesn’t have any guy friends. When Pete pops the question to his fiancée, Zooey (Rashida Jones), they both realize that he doesn’t have anyone to serve as his best man. Desperate to have someone to fill out the wedding party, Peter goes on a series of “man dates” intent on finding someone to be his new best friend. After a few awkward missteps he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), a laid-back investor who not only befriends Peter, but also teaches him a few things about how to live his life.

It’s a well-known fact that casting is crucial for any film to truly work, but I think that sentiment rings truest for comedy. Without the right group of actors to bounce around ideas and lines, most comedies would be incredibly horrendous. Walk Hard is a great example of this fact. As I stated earlier, Rudd is becoming one of my go-to actors these days. Maybe it’s because I can relate to his loveable asshole/introverted homebody characters, but I find the guy to be hilarious. He’s got great timing and, unlike a Will Ferrell-type, he knows to not keep a joke going too long. His awkward interactions with potential best men felt natural and were made all the more funny because it’s something that happens.

Jason Segel is practically playing a slightly more grown-up version of his character, Nick, from Freaks & Geeks. That’s something I have no problem with considering that show was one of the best I’ve ever seen on TV (and it’s a goddamn crime that it was canceled after one season). His character here, Sydney, is smooth-talking slacker who prefers to spend his time hanging out and watching Lost rather than find someone to spend his life with, even though most of his long-time friends have moved on to having families and careers. The thing that I like most about Segel, and the same can be said of some of Apatow’s other regulars, is that he’s so at ease on screen that he may as well be starring in an autobiographical film. Nothing he says feels forced or unnatural; it all comes across with effortless enthusiasm.

If you’ve read any other comedy review I’ve done before, you now that I think a supporting cast can make or break a movie. And in this one they’ve sealed the deal to make it awesome. Andy Samberg plays Peter’s very openly homosexual brother, Robbie. Samberg is an odd guy, and you either get his unique brand of comedy or you don’t. Thankfully, I fall into the former category, and he was killing me the entire time. The opening dinner table scene rocks. J.K. Simmons, who most people know as J. Jonah Jameson from the Spider-Man series, is Peter’s dad. Simmons, who I know from HBO’s Oz, is surprisingly adept at tackling comedy. I think he may have been the only thing I enjoyed in Juno, that nauseating piece of shit I wish were wiped from the planet. I wanted him to get a little more screen time, but with the film already being close to 2 hours, I think his role fits as it is.

I need to make special mention of the fact that it is very cool to see some of the cast from MTV’s The State popping up on-screen lately. Both Joe Lo Truglio and Thomas Lennon have prominent supporting roles. Lennon’s role as Doug gave the film some of its finer uncomfortable moments. And for those with a keen eye, look out for Role Models director and former member of The State, David Wain as the wedding photographer.

Also, continuing in the tradition of Role Model’s love song to KISS, I Love You, Man features a healthy obsession with Canadian power trio, Rush. I don’t know if these tributes are at the request of Paul Rudd or not, but it’s cool to see some classic bands given a prominent role in feature films. There’s a scene where Peter and Sydney attend a Rush concert at Avalon in Hollywood, and I couldn’t help but think how effin’ cool it would have been to be an extra for that shoot. I wonder who’ll be the focus of Rudd’s next feature, should they choose to continue down this path.

I’m highly recommending you go see this movie, but only if you’re a fan of the cast involved. Hell, even if you’re not you may still enjoy this one. I thought it was funnier than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and it’s about on par with Role Models. Even though the running time is a bit excessive at 1 hour and 50 minutes, the film never lags so much that you find yourself checking your watch.

EdTheRipper · 07-27-09, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giles

Alot of Paul Rudd's dialogue didn't seem scripted, it was just so awkward and hilarious at the same time.

I saw it tonight and have to agree with you. Some of his attempts at words had me cracking up. Overall, I thought the movie was hilarious and I really enjoyed watching it.

And Rashida Jones is...

Dr Mabuse · 07-27-09, 08:15 PM

Oh yeah...

I finished it back then and really liked it.

Traxan · 08-29-09, 11:18 PM

I just rented this movie and one thing jumped right out at me: how they whitewashed the hell out of Rashida on the cover. Look close. She's got the same skin tone as Paul and Jason. I remember looking at it and thinking "This is Quincy Jones's daughter?" Then the movie starts and it's much more obvious she's bi-racial.

The difference is astounding. It's a reverse OJ on Time Magazine in 94.

Hope the movie is good. I'm only watching it because I'm a Rush fan.

EDIT: *sigh* Once again, the "man" is defined as an overgrown man-child still behaving like he's 15 but possessing adult toys and language. This is why I don't watch American comedies.

maingon · 08-30-09, 12:43 AM

Finally got around to see this and I loved it very funny, Rudd and Segel were fantastic and Rashida Jones is beautiful. Great movie, been a great time for Comedies the last few years.

MovieMaster11 · 08-31-09, 04:24 AM

"your watching the damn wonder emporium again"

writer106 · 08-31-09, 09:35 PM

I saw this a couple of nights ago. I thought it was pretty funny.

Mike86 · 09-01-09, 12:42 AM

This is my second favorite comedy this year behind The Hangover. Paul Rudd is quickly becoming one of my favorite comedic actors.

chuckd21 · 09-01-09, 08:06 AM

I've seen this twice now in the last two days. I adore this movie. On one hand it spoke to me because, like Paul Rudd's character, I have more girl friends than guy friends. But what I really enjoyed the most was that

Spoiler:

thematahara · 09-01-09, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd21

I've seen this twice now in the last two days. I adore this movie. On one hand it spoke to me because, like Paul Rudd's character, I have more girl friends than guy friends. But what I really enjoyed the most was that

Spoiler:

I totally agree.

Spoiler:

Deftones · 09-01-09, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thematahara

I totally agree.

Spoiler:

That's what I was afraid of, too.

My wife and I thought it was hilarious. Very even throughout the movie in terms of the comedy.

Solid Snake PAC · 09-01-09, 03:19 PM

All agreed, I love me some Paul Rudd.

taa455 · 09-01-09, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd21

I've seen this twice now in the last two days. I adore this movie. On one hand it spoke to me because, like Paul Rudd's character, I have more girl friends than guy friends. But what I really enjoyed the most was that

Spoiler:

I thought the exact same thing in your spoiler. As for the movie, I enjoyed it, especially the 2nd half after we got past most of the painfully cliche gay jokes and the fake looking barf scene. I loved the montage halfway through that featured the 2 guys jamming and pretty much everything after that. "Slapping the bass" was hilarious. Everything with Lou Ferrigno was great. The way the movie wrapped up was just about perfect.

Dr Mabuse · 09-01-09, 04:11 PM

I just watched it again, due to seeing this thread, liked it even more.

scott1598 · 09-01-09, 04:45 PM

loved this as well. almost from start to finish. the upchuck scene had me crying. it just came out of nowhere and was so surprising and was done so well.

i just have a minor gripe with the end. it just seemed to peter out at the wedding and the exchange between them wasn't that funny and seemed almost out of place with the sincerity and hilarity of most of the movie.

almost like they didn't know how to end it and then it just did. little disappointing, but genuinely funny.

04-01-09, 09:09 PM	#76
NitroJMS DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 2,451	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy I posted my review to my blog, cinamerica.com. Basically thought it was very good overall, with strong chemistry between Rudd and Segal. __________________ Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun. cinamerica.com - movie reviews, news, and more My DVD Collection

04-06-09, 10:23 AM	#77
KillerCannibal DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,389	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy Finally checked this out over the weekend and I loved it. Very funny, lots of great gags but nothing too over the top. Rudd has found a groove as of late, and his films are consistently hilarious. Segel was perfect. I kept looking at him as playing an older version of his character on Freaks & Geeks, right down to the Rush obsession. I was especially pleased to see a couple members of The State getting some good supporting roles. I'd rank it above Sarah Marshall and on par with Role Models. They could have trimmed a little bit, but nothing stood out as being unnecessary. FWIW, my review: Spoiler: Paul Rudd has been on a serious hot streak as of late. After spending the better part of a decade being out of cinemas, Rudd has spent the last few years nestled deep in the bosom of Judd Apatow and his comedic troupe. Who knew the guy that played Tommy Doyle in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers had the chops for comedy? After he played some strong supporting roles in Anchorman, Walk Hard (easily one of the least funny comedies I’ve ever seen) and Knocked Up, Rudd moved on to taking over the lead with 2008’s surprise hit Role Models, one of the funniest comedies I’ve seen in a while. Now he’s back, along with his Forgetting Sarah Marshall co-star Jason Segel, for I Love You, Man, a bromance comedy with just the right balance of humor and heart. Rudd stars as Peter Klaven, a real estate agent who’s been spending most of his life devoting time to his girlfriends and, as a result, he doesn’t have any guy friends. When Pete pops the question to his fiancée, Zooey (Rashida Jones), they both realize that he doesn’t have anyone to serve as his best man. Desperate to have someone to fill out the wedding party, Peter goes on a series of “man dates” intent on finding someone to be his new best friend. After a few awkward missteps he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), a laid-back investor who not only befriends Peter, but also teaches him a few things about how to live his life. It’s a well-known fact that casting is crucial for any film to truly work, but I think that sentiment rings truest for comedy. Without the right group of actors to bounce around ideas and lines, most comedies would be incredibly horrendous. Walk Hard is a great example of this fact. As I stated earlier, Rudd is becoming one of my go-to actors these days. Maybe it’s because I can relate to his loveable asshole/introverted homebody characters, but I find the guy to be hilarious. He’s got great timing and, unlike a Will Ferrell-type, he knows to not keep a joke going too long. His awkward interactions with potential best men felt natural and were made all the more funny because it’s something that happens. Jason Segel is practically playing a slightly more grown-up version of his character, Nick, from Freaks & Geeks. That’s something I have no problem with considering that show was one of the best I’ve ever seen on TV (and it’s a goddamn crime that it was canceled after one season). His character here, Sydney, is smooth-talking slacker who prefers to spend his time hanging out and watching Lost rather than find someone to spend his life with, even though most of his long-time friends have moved on to having families and careers. The thing that I like most about Segel, and the same can be said of some of Apatow’s other regulars, is that he’s so at ease on screen that he may as well be starring in an autobiographical film. Nothing he says feels forced or unnatural; it all comes across with effortless enthusiasm. If you’ve read any other comedy review I’ve done before, you now that I think a supporting cast can make or break a movie. And in this one they’ve sealed the deal to make it awesome. Andy Samberg plays Peter’s very openly homosexual brother, Robbie. Samberg is an odd guy, and you either get his unique brand of comedy or you don’t. Thankfully, I fall into the former category, and he was killing me the entire time. The opening dinner table scene rocks. J.K. Simmons, who most people know as J. Jonah Jameson from the Spider-Man series, is Peter’s dad. Simmons, who I know from HBO’s Oz, is surprisingly adept at tackling comedy. I think he may have been the only thing I enjoyed in Juno, that nauseating piece of shit I wish were wiped from the planet. I wanted him to get a little more screen time, but with the film already being close to 2 hours, I think his role fits as it is. I need to make special mention of the fact that it is very cool to see some of the cast from MTV’s The State popping up on-screen lately. Both Joe Lo Truglio and Thomas Lennon have prominent supporting roles. Lennon’s role as Doug gave the film some of its finer uncomfortable moments. And for those with a keen eye, look out for Role Models director and former member of The State, David Wain as the wedding photographer. Also, continuing in the tradition of Role Model’s love song to KISS, I Love You, Man features a healthy obsession with Canadian power trio, Rush. I don’t know if these tributes are at the request of Paul Rudd or not, but it’s cool to see some classic bands given a prominent role in feature films. There’s a scene where Peter and Sydney attend a Rush concert at Avalon in Hollywood, and I couldn’t help but think how effin’ cool it would have been to be an extra for that shoot. I wonder who’ll be the focus of Rudd’s next feature, should they choose to continue down this path. I’m highly recommending you go see this movie, but only if you’re a fan of the cast involved. Hell, even if you’re not you may still enjoy this one. I thought it was funnier than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and it’s about on par with Role Models. Even though the running time is a bit excessive at 1 hour and 50 minutes, the film never lags so much that you find yourself checking your watch. __________________ Top 10 most-wanted BD titles:Blue Velvet/Once Upon A Time in the West/Jaws/Mulholland Dr./Battle Royale/Videodrome/Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla ('74)/Beyond the Valley of the Dolls/Phantasm/Death Wish Last edited by KillerCannibal; 04-06-09 at 03:18 PM.

07-27-09, 08:15 PM	#79
Dr Mabuse DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 75 clicks above the Do Lung bridge... Posts: 10,136	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy Oh yeah... I finished it back then and really liked it. __________________ "I am for Socialism, disarmament and ultimately, for the abolishing of the State itself ... I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is, of course, the goal." - Roger Baldwin, ACLU executive director and founder

08-29-09, 11:18 PM	#80
Traxan Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 239	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy I just rented this movie and one thing jumped right out at me: how they whitewashed the hell out of Rashida on the cover. Look close. She's got the same skin tone as Paul and Jason. I remember looking at it and thinking "This is Quincy Jones's daughter?" Then the movie starts and it's much more obvious she's bi-racial. The difference is astounding. It's a reverse OJ on Time Magazine in 94. Hope the movie is good. I'm only watching it because I'm a Rush fan. EDIT: sigh Once again, the "man" is defined as an overgrown man-child still behaving like he's 15 but possessing adult toys and language. This is why I don't watch American comedies. Last edited by Traxan; 08-29-09 at 11:25 PM.

08-30-09, 12:43 AM	#81
maingon DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3,342	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy Finally got around to see this and I loved it very funny, Rudd and Segel were fantastic and Rashida Jones is beautiful. Great movie, been a great time for Comedies the last few years. __________________ HD-DVD

08-31-09, 04:24 AM	#82
MovieMaster11 Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,900	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy "your watching the damn wonder emporium again"

08-31-09, 09:35 PM	#83
writer106 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 712	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy I saw this a couple of nights ago. I thought it was pretty funny.

09-01-09, 12:42 AM	#84
Mike86 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 357	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy This is my second favorite comedy this year behind The Hangover. Paul Rudd is quickly becoming one of my favorite comedic actors.

09-01-09, 08:06 AM	#85
chuckd21 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: May 1999 Location: Florida Posts: 2,850	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy I've seen this twice now in the last two days. I adore this movie. On one hand it spoke to me because, like Paul Rudd's character, I have more girl friends than guy friends. But what I really enjoyed the most was that Spoiler: Jason Segel's character had no ulterior motives. He wasn't out to scam Paul Rudd or try and sleep with Rashida Jones. And no one had set it up ahead of time for the two of them to meet. It was a chance encounter and they really became friends, naturally. I found that incredibly refreshing. __________________ Homepage \| Twitter \| YouTube \| 360: SmarmyJerkface (formerly dvdguy) \| Oct. Horror Movie Challenge: 2009 \| Video Game Report Card: 2010

09-01-09, 03:19 PM	#88
Solid Snake PAC DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 4,351	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy All agreed, I love me some Paul Rudd.

09-01-09, 04:11 PM	#90
Dr Mabuse DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 75 clicks above the Do Lung bridge... Posts: 10,136	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy I just watched it again, due to seeing this thread, liked it even more. __________________ "I am for Socialism, disarmament and ultimately, for the abolishing of the State itself ... I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is, of course, the goal." - Roger Baldwin, ACLU executive director and founder

09-01-09, 04:45 PM	#91
scott1598 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: I want to go to there! Posts: 14,204	Re: I Love You, Man (Hamburg, 2009): Paul Rudd and Jason Segel comedy loved this as well. almost from start to finish. the upchuck scene had me crying. it just came out of nowhere and was so surprising and was done so well. i just have a minor gripe with the end. it just seemed to peter out at the wedding and the exchange between them wasn't that funny and seemed almost out of place with the sincerity and hilarity of most of the movie. almost like they didn't know how to end it and then it just did. little disappointing, but genuinely funny. __________________ "stranger than fiction" DVD collection "almost famous" SteelBook™ collection "Even though I am no better than a beast, don't I have the right to live?"