Synopsis:
Friendless Peter Klaven goes on a series of
man-dates to find a Best Man for his wedding.
But when his insta-bond his new B.F.F. puts a
strain on his relationship with his fiancée can
the trio learn to live happily ever after?
The Freak's
Rating: B+ : Long before he was
Phoebe's boyfriend on Friends, Paul Rudd played
Josh in 1995's Clueless. Alicia
Silverstone stole the show, but Rudd was solid
enough to gain a few roles in films soon after.
Typically playing a supporting role in
Anchorman, the 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up or
Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Rudd seemed destined
for a lead role but never able to convince a
studio to get behind him. Apparently
Paramount and Dreamworks thought he deserved a
chance and have rightly chosen his first vehicle
to be I Love You Man.
Rudd
is delightfully awkward as Peter, oozing
uncomfortability. You can't help but want
to be this guy's friend, but he doesn't make it
easy, which is part of the charm.
Following Peter on his man-dates, you sense his
eagerness for acceptance. Rudd is perfect
for the part and after seeing it you can't
imagine any other actor pulling it off.
Segal is a nice choice as Sidney, but nothing
spectactular. Jon Favreau and Jaime
Pressly have nice supporting parts as Barry and
Denise, a couple who constantly bickers and has
wild makeup sex. J.K. Simmons and Andy
Samberg steal their scenes as Peter's father and
brother as well.
In
all films, there is a chance that originality
will succomb to stereotypical plot twists.
The best man finds out about the groom's quest
for a best man and is upset, the best man
appears to really be a jerk, etc... Though
there are some areas of the film that are quite
predictable, it never goes down these paths of
mediocre storytelling and instead holds true to
its originality for the bulk of the film.
There
are parts of this film that only guys find
amusing, which keeps it under an A rating.
Superbad was able to cross genders and make both
sexes laugh hysterically, which makes it my
favorite Apatow-related comedy to date.
There are some jokes only guys laugh at and none
that go the other direction. The best part
of the film is that it proves that Paul Rudd can
carry a leading role, something some of us have
believed for quite some time.
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