Peter settles on Sydney Fife after a series of “man date” trials and errors. Peter meets Sydney, the neurotic but frank financial investor, at a swank open house Peter needs to sell to finance his dream.
The audience is taken for a ride on the subsequent dates and bonding these two men unexpectedly experience. The repartee between them is charming and rings true. The film is rated R for the bawdy language and sex talk that occurs between the men, the women, and in mixed company.
Yes, as you might suspect, there is some gay-in-your-face suggestiveness. It is an almost predictable sort of station identification to remind everyone that they are watching a film set in sunny, swinging California. Luckily Hamburg does not pitch the stereotype of life on the beach too hard.
The coastal California setting is the film’s greatest selling point, both for those who have spent time in Venice Beach or just curious about its mystique. The casual setting helps to keep the film on its comedic edge. This romantic comedy maintains its focus on the men, laugh lines, love-life seeking, and male bonding.
The overt sexuality, however, almost derails it. The film was funny, but could have been even funnier with a little less focus and dependence on bathroom and bedroom humor.
Overall, the dialogue is delightful and does not feel forced or self-conscious. The male stars have great comedic timing. The supporting cast is a mélange of characters found in the real estate office or in the gym where Peter tries to “pick up” a male friend without success, but doesn’t waste the comedy they are given to handle. Peter and Sydney have all the surplus chemistry and comedic DNA needed to polish I Love You, Man.
More beach scenes would have been even sweeter, but I still loved this film for its laser-like focus and interesting characters - two characters cute enough to gladly follow to Venice Beach.
Article comments
1 - James
Loved the film, very funny. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel where both very strong in this movie
Not sure why you needed to make mention that the main characters where 'real men' (meaning straight), after talking about gay men. Certainly hope thats not inferring anything about homosexuality, which I thought the film used well for both comedic effect, and to highlight that essentially every man that acts honorably is worthy of being called a man, regardless of sexual orientation.
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2 - Heloise
Hi, I mentioned it because it was part of the comedic heat of the movie, as in the old mountain men. They were trying hard to distinguish themnselves from gay men, I guess I should have said.
Heloise
3 - bliffle
Good point, Heloise. One of the funny things about men (at least American men) out on a 'man date' is the pains they take to differentiate themselves from a gay couple.
4 - Renu
Really enjoyed this movie a lot. Hope others did too.