I Love You, Man.
I felt this way last year with Tropic Thunder, so use that as your guide.
Smart comedy is a cool thing. And the folks doing it these days, Apatow, Rudd, Carell, Hamburg, and others, seem to have an appreciation for both those who preceded them, as well as for the time in which we now live. These writers, directors and actors recognize that we don’t live our lives in isolation. That we watch television. That we go to movies. That we have favorite bands. That we talk about personal things with friends. Basically, we communicate as we do because we’re human, and for some of us, that can be pretty damn funny.
Thankfully, director John Hamburg and co-writer Larry Levin have taken the time to write this very sharp and very funny script. Hamburg has let a talented cast have fun as their characters, and present a very engaging and very witty treatment of an aspect of the social dynamic between couples.
I love you, Man succeeds largely due to its ability to charter new ground. There really hasn’t been an ensemble comedy that picks apart who we are with such gusto and bravado. Juno had some moments, and Tropic Thunder was simply a hysterical take on Hollywood. But there are many moments of each here in I love you, Man. For example, the original Hulk on TV Lou Ferrigno in a comic turn as himself. Who knew?
But it’s the complete package that ‘Man’ wraps all these elements into that both defines the film, and completes it as an early 21st century comic gem.
The language is course, and the scenes can be difficult for those not comfortable with episodes of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ or certain types of physical comedy. But there’s no nudity, a surprise for a film trying to reach young males, and there’s lots of word play, another surprise given that this is a film trying to reach young males, and lots of opportunities for a wide range of people to both recognize as funny and take in themselves.
Definitely worth checking out. Serious comedy. Seriously funny. No joke.
3/31/09
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