I Love You, Man - 3 1/2 smiles

If there are clear rules of conduct for a romantic relationship, “I Love You, Man” posits that there are also rules for male relationships and these rules can be just as confusing to its participants. This utterly enjoyable ‘bromance’ focuses on Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), an almost successful Los Angeles real estate agent who’s more comfortable with women than he is with men. But shortly after he asks is girlfriend, Zooey (Rashida Jones) to marry him, he realizes that he doesn’t have any close male friends to be his best man and groomsmen. As Peter’s brother (Andy Samberg), who’s gay and works as a personal trainer, tells him, ‘Hooking up is easy. Making platonic make friends? Not so much.’ After a few disastrous attempts at recruiting new pals, Peter falls into a sort-of friendship with a rather disheveled charmer who shows up at one of his open houses just to eat the free food. Sydney (Jason Segel), Peter’s polar opposite, is an easygoing, schleppy guy, who lives in a tiny bachelor pad, with several televisions, guitars, amps and assorted other guy playthings. Peter is understandably relieved to meet Sydney, whose business card states that he in investments although he seems to spend most of his time loafing around Venice Beach. Sydney can be rude and crude, but he also seems to have a good heart and Peter and Sydney seem to have ‘hit it off.’

Much of the charm of this movie rests with Paul Rudd, an often under-appreciated and under-recognized actor. His timing is perfect as he fumbles around trying to find the appropriate way to communicate with another male. And his timing is perfect. It’s as if he’s invented a new dialect (because Peter doesn’t always know what he’s saying either). Jason Segel is more relaxed and funnier as the co-star than when he has the lead (e.g., "Forgetting Sarah Marshall") and his role allows him to be quirky and idiosyncratic. Also notable are Jon Favreau and J.K. Simmons, who have small roles but get the most out of them. Some of the raunchy material – such as the explanation of what goes on in Sydney’s man cave – is humorous as is Sydney’s attempt to teach Peter about conversations men have with each other. Writer-director John Hamburg’s “I Love You, Man” is a refreshing and delightful comedy. 3/29/09