I’ve adored Paul Ruud for years. So when he started mixing it up with not only the Will Ferrell crowd, but also the Apatow bunch, it just made me smile all the more. Ruud is one of those actors who I can honestly say has never let me down. Not saying every movie he makes is absolutely gold, but in the movie, he always shines. And for that matter, a lot of them are gold.
Jason Segel is a recent member of my illicit fantasy of the ultimate dinner party turned Scene It game. Ruud’s been on the guest list for many years. The guest list, by the way, is getting awfully big. I’m pretty sure we’re talking about a week long Scene It championship at this point. But the crowd invited might not even object. The list includes, but is hardly limited to; the two previously mentioned comedy troupes, the entire View Askew universe, everyone from the Whedonverse, and the Stargate universe. It also includes anyone who’s ever starred (including guest/recurred) on Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, Medium, Friends or Will & Grace.
Just imagine the catering required. Whew.
But Jason, while a new edition, has already vaulted straight into my heart. I will tell you, that I never watched Freaks and Geeks. So I didn’t first start seeing Jason until How I Met Your Mother. But Marshall was a fast favorite. Then I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I was smitten. And then after listening to the commentary for that movie; let’s just say it’s a good thing I have no stalking tendencies. (In point of fact, I might geek out to some individuals, but I can’t imagine ever screeching and scaring anyone I should encounter).
So my love of Ruud and Segel, particularly how they work together, made I Love You Man an obvious sell. I had to wait for the second run theater, but that didn’t make it less enjoyable.
One of the cool qualities of some actors, particularly ones with a repertoire as insanely broad as Ruud, is that sometimes it’s just fun seeing them have fun. This can make an otherwise mildly amusing scene, into something that’ll actually make you chuckle. This included many of the scenes featuring Ruud trying to be cool and failing miserably (think Leprechaun). Those weren’t the best scenes, but watching Ruud play with them, and seeing Segel and others react; priceless. But those were just the points in between the serious laughs.
Without giving anything away, I’ll say this. When Ruud’s own tuxedo-clad image first appeared, through the back of his car window, I’m the only one who saw it. In a small group of 20 viewers, I’m sure at least a few people wondered why I was already laughing. But it almost seemed to make them all the louder, when everybody started to see more of Paul’s face on the street.
This was just one of several moments of hilarity. Then there’s Segel’s ill-conceived attempt to get his friend more BJ’s from his fiance. Once again I think I was the first to get the joke, but we were all pretty vocal by the end. And to the writers I say; thank you for letting him realize the folly of it later, instead of him just being an oblivious douche like best friend characters before him.
The supporting cast really tied this movie together too. In my book, if you get Jane Curtain to play a mom, you are hitting a home run. Andy Samberg was also a nice new face (haven’t watched SNL regularly in many years), and made an odd character much funnier. And keep an eye out for a few bust-your-gut moments with Thomas Lennon. Plus, it’s Lou-fricking-Farigno playing himself; along with Hulk jokes. Come on, what more could you want?
Ruud has played both sides of the character fence for a while. In ILYM he’s once again the average dude, ala the underrated Over Her Dead Body. I honestly can’t tell you which side I like more, the straight man, or Paul as Kunu or Brian Fantana. But this is the first time I feel like I’ve really seen Segel change it up, and I’m digging it severely. My exposure to Segel has been primarily as the incredibly nice guy, who’s just so easily pushed around. But in ILYM, he plays someone who is so remarkably at peace with himself and his environment. Sure, he has a few hangups (called out by Ruud’s character eventually), but overall he’s a very centered man. Seeing that confidence coming from Segel was a a wonderful surprise (the character reminded me a bit of Larry Miller in Frozen Assets) I’m hoping it further proves his leading man qualifications, and promises us more exposure to Jason.
Ok, perhaps exposure is the wrong word. 
Overall this is a great bromance flick, a funny ride, and further proof that romantic comedy can be made with appeal to everyone. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, get ready for DVD. Or head to a second run like I did.
On a personal note, I came home just hopping with inspiration. A new script is in progress, and it’s killing me how much I already like it. I honestly think it’s a really new spin on the entire romcom genre, and those ideas always get me going. I think that’s why writing went so fast on Rent To Own and As Fate Would Have It. I dug the idea so much, I wanted desperately to see it on screen. The only problem is a gender bending issue that is causing me serious pronoun headaches. But I just keep telling myself it’ll be a funny thing to point out in the commentary.
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- Interwebz; input needed. Do I Bare It All?
- How did I get in this nutshell?
- The Love Of My Life
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