WMR #5- I Love You, Man

I Love You, Man: 2009

Watch Date: week of 4/25/11

Math and I actually picked this movie a year ago because, you guessed it...It's got the dude from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"  - Jason Segel.  (Apparently he's also an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church...who knew?). It's also got Rashida Jones from the Office and Parks and Rec I re-watched this movie for the review and because, hey, I actually liked it!

This story is about Peter Klaven, (Paul Rudd) a "girlfriends-guy" and friendless in terms of man-relations (man-lations?) who proposes to his girlfriend Zooey (Jones).  He's worried about not having the right people for his groom's party so he goes on a series of man-dates to try to make some friends. Following fiascos with a squeeky-voiced gym goer, a stiffly attractive gay man, and an old dude with a 40 year old picture, he meets Sydney Fife, a bad-boy, fully man-ified bachelor living **THE LIFE** and establishes an insta-connection. 

However, it seems that Zooey got more than she bargained for in this man-on-man action as Peter becomes more laid-back, enthusiastic about certain music bands and develops an affinity for air guitar. Sydney becomes Peter's #1 man-friend and the potential best man in his wedding. Unfortunately, Peter's friendship jeopardizes his relationship with Zooey so he breaks up with Sydney and is all sad. Zooey realizes this and at the last minute invites Sydney to their wedding, to which he was already headed - tux and all. They have a way too long make up display wherein Peter utters THE line - "I Love You, Man".  Then they all hug it out and it's all sunshine, lollipops and weddings.

Despite myself, I liked this movie (and so did 52+k people on IMDB giving it a 7.2/10 higher than all the movies so far).  The characters were all funny and endearing (except Zooey who was really only endearing) with quirks that made me not ashamed of - even squeeky-voiced guy. Peter's dad is amazing, he is the guy from Juno (J.K. Simmons) - the perfect mix of serious dad, compassionate father and ridiculous human, though he plays this same part in Juno.

Oh the elusive man-imal: half man, half animal cracker.

I was rolling in laughter for most of the film, it was so over-the-top that it was completely engaging. Somehow the human-ness of the characters make the storyline enjoyable vs. the other way around (which seems like the usual way). I mean, you really start to get attached to each character even though Sydney kind of offensive - though I love his masturbation station - and Peter was kind of a pansy etc. It just worked. Also, Lou Ferrigno is part of the cast, playing himself.  He is the big, tough guy for whom Peter is trying to sell a house. He puts Sydney in a headlock which is very entertaining.

Lou really sounds like Andre the Giant. weird...

What didn't work too well was all the bad, bad, bad, BAD slangy terms that Sydney and Peter (but mostly Peter) throw out. Here's some examples:

1. "My pleaszhe" (pronounced like the first syllable in "pleasure").

2. "Totes MacGotes" (totally)

3. "Redonkulous" (ridiculous)

4. "blowies" (blow jobs)

5. "slap the base" (play base guitar)

Also, some of the nicknames:

1. Pete > Sydney: "See you later, Joban" (what?)

2. Pete > Sydney: "MaGooch"

3. Pete > Sydney: "City Slicker" (ok better)

4. Sydney > Pete: "Pistol Pete"

5. Sydney > Pete: "Dude von Dudenstein" (as bad as this one is I LOVE the "Blanky McBlankerson" word play).

 Also, the conflict between Peter and Sydney seemed REALLY forced...Like their relationship had developed to be TOO good, so good that they wouldn't have a huge fight over something so small. Peter got mad at Sydney for publishing his face in funny hats on billboards to sell Peter's real-estate services. Of course Sydney gets the "OH SNAP" angle when Peter comes into work with a whole buncha new voicemails of people wanting to have him sell their houses.

Lastly, the makeup scene went on for WAAAY too long and they really didn't need to make Peter say "I love you, Man" as it was implied in the title. A slight bit too much cheese for me.

Klaven, Peter Klaven.

 

But for all the entertainment it gave me, I will give this one a 4/5. Definitely will watch it again and recommend it if you're interested in a good wedding movie that actually has little to do with actual wedding preparation.

Math also gives it a 4/5 - he says it was fun and he likes Jason Segel and Paul Rudd.

Though...I've never seen Knocked Up....maybe when I'm preggo lol.

Wedding Movie List:
1). Father of the Bride  2/5

2). My Big Fat Greek Wedding  4/5

3). The Wedding Singer
4). Made of Honor
5). The Wedding Crashers
6). Four Weddings and a Funeral
7). 27 Dresses
8). My Best Friend's Wedding
9). Bride Wars
10). The Wedding Planner
11). Bridesmaids 1/5

12). Muriel's Wedding
13). Runaway Bride
14). You Again 1/5
15). Something Borrowed 

16). I Love You, Man 4/5