“‘I Love You, Man’ and the rules of male friendship”

LA Times movie reviewer Glenn Whipp analyzes the recent trend of “bro-mance” comedies in this article today:

Midway through “I Love You, Man,” L.A. real estate agent Peter, played by Paul Rudd, wonders how quickly he can phone someone he just met. No, it’s not a girl — Peter’s engaged. It’s just that Peter, feeling like a “weirdo,” needs a best man for his wedding party. And this buddy-less man — who’s always been a “girlfriend guy” — is having a tough time navigating his way around the emotional land mines of the dude universe.

“I’m really nervous,” Peter frets in one scene in the movie, which opened Friday and took in $18 million over the weekend. “There are no rules for male friendships.”

No rules for male friendships? Has Peter not been to the movies recently? Just going to Rudd’s own past comedies would fill a book of rules.

The rules Whipp has found in recent Hwood movies?

Rule 1

Sharing fun, challenging and intellectually engaging activities can strengthen friendships.

Rule 2

Friends are optimists, not naysayers.

Rule 3

Friends carry each other.

Rule 4

Friends accept friends how they are. Even when alerting the authorities might be the more prudent call.

Rule 5

Friends make an effort to stay in touch.

Rule 6

Friends remain equally loyal in good times and bad.

No earth-shattering insight here. However it’s a good reminder to screenwriters that even comedies require some sort of emotional throughline which works with one or more of these type of rules as themes. Otherwise the viewer won’t care about the characters.

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