This year could easily be dubbed the year of hilarity because almost every major comedy released in the last few months has been a winner, Funny People being the exception ironically. One of the few to be available now on DVD is I Love You, Man. Detailing the new found respect for “bromances,” I Love You, Man has humor, heart and a great story and an amazing DVD to boot.
Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is a fledgling relator attempting to make it big by selling Lou Ferrigno's mansion. He's also set to marry the beautiful Zooey (Rashida Jones) and that's where the issue comes in since Peter has no guy friends to make his best man. In attempting to not look like a clingy husband he goes on a series of unsuccessful man-dates to find a male friend. Eventually he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segal), a free spirited homebody who is just the guy that Peter needs to come out of his shell.
The best thing about the movie is how it subverts the stereotypical romantic comedy. I Love You, Man is essentially a rom com for guys, detailing all the misconceptions that come from a guy whose only friends are women, and how a male in this day and age can come to find a best friend. Peter starts out as a wimpy guy who loves movies like The Devil Wears Prada. It isn't until he meets Sydney that he starts to learn about male camaraderie and discussing sex and all. This doesn't mean that the ladies are left out because the movie also takes a look at the similarities and differences that come from female friendships as well and the double standards that arise. The movie takes all the typical boy meets girl things seen in a romance film and cleverly twists them to fit a male relationship, but dousing a dash of humor for all genders in between (this is hilariously seen in the discussion of the film Chocolat). The premise wouldn't work as well without fine comedic actors and actresses to sell the story and make the friendships realistic and heartwarming. Paul Rudd and Jason Segal enter into their third collaboration and this time they're playing hysterically off each other in a way similar to Rudd and Seth Rogen. Both have a likeable nature and don't come off as overbearing, seen quite a bit in romantic comedies. Both men have striking similarities and differences that make it easy to see why they'd be friends. Rashida Jones is wonderful as the supportive girlfriend, again another thing not seen in female romances. She wants Peter to have a friend, but also wants to be included without becoming naggy. Jaime Pressley, JK Simmons, Andy Samberg and Thomas Lennon also lend a lot of zingers and superb cameos throughout the movie. Without a cast like this that works on all cylinders, I doubt I Love You, Man would still be funny.
The only major nitpick I have with the movie is the middle twist that has Zooey becomes really irritated with Peter and Sydney's relationship. I mentioned it in my review of the theatrical cut and here it continues to irritate me as it really seems out of character for her at that point.
The single disc DVD packs a punch and if you don't want to break down for Blu-Ray, the standard is more than enough. The best part is the full-length commentary with Paul Rudd, Jason Segal and director John Hamburg. All three men have a great rapport and are friends off-screen which gives the dialogue a more intimate quality. They talk throughout the entire DVD giving anecdotes as well as a lot of jokes about making the film. There's also quite a bit of discussion on gags and scenes that weren't used. If you want a comprehensive look at this movie be sure to listen to the commentary. The rest of the features really compliment it. There's a pretty standard making-of feature that takes a turn when it shows how a projectile vomiting scene was achieved. The “Extras,” “Extended Scenes,” and “Deleted Scenes” are what they're titled as, mainly additional footage that ranges in humor. There's also a gag reel that is just as fantastic as the film.
If you enjoy comedy you'll find something to love in I Love You, Man. A sharp and witty turn of the romance genre with some fantastic character actors and Segal and Rudd's perfect comedic styling. The DVD has a copious amount of features to sate the diehard fan. The movie and DVD get a 3.5/5.
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