Bromantic comedy. Whether coined by a payroll PR peep or some dithyrambic journo, I like the term. And if ever there were a poster boy for the sub-genre, I Love You, Man is it. The premise is simple; epitomic Mr Nice Guy Peter Claven (Paul Rudd) is getting married, but soon realises he has no one to call Best Man. After a series of fruitless "man-dates," charming bohemian Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) saunters into his life. Is this the bromance he's been searching for?
This is a quite remarkable film; it's largely sans conflict (the drug of entertainment) yet enjoyable. Any trace is handled with light-hearted grace and is usually dissipated with honesty a scene, or even a line, later. Sweet, touching, genuine and, of course, funny are all apt reviewing adjectives. Even the inevitable "inmost cave" (coined by Hero's Journey author Joseph Campbell describing the moment when everything goes to shit three-quarters in before coming good again) is delightfully mild.
Sharp writing and lovable characters replace conflict. Paul Rudd, who is quickly cementing himself as one of my favourite actors, turns in another beautifully nuanced and understated performance, creating one of the more likable characters you'll see this year. He is ably matched by comic foil Segel, and this is where the film sets itself apart. Elsewhere, Segel's character would be the Hollywood-ised outrageous, over-the-top surfer dood caricature most likely played by an Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider. But in the hands of writers John Hamburg and Larry Levin, and Segel in the driving seat, we have a thoroughly stand-up guy and the film is refreshing and unexpectedly touching as a result. The only drawback from all this niceness is the conclusion doesn't quite have that fist-pumping retribution we're used to. But bollocks to that. Add winning cameos from favourite J K Simmons and Andy Samberg (Jizz in My Pants) and you have a delightful comedy you'd happily take home to your mother.
