I’m usually ambivalent when it comes to A24’s releases. For the most part, their movies have premises that are not easily defined or conventional. You can’t always predict what you’re going to see.
In the case of Friendship, I watched the trailer once. Being that this was a comedy, I didn’t want the jokes to become stale. Especially when those scenes from the trailer pop up in the movie, itself. However, I didn’t have to worry about that this time. There were no laughs. I was confused. It was being labeled a comedy. Okay, maybe a dark comedy? I had to see it for myself.
Foolishly, I thought this was from the mind of Tim Robinson. It felt very much like his voice. I’m not alone. When a movie comes out with Jordan Peele’s name attached, people think it’s HIS movie. Candyman and Him for example. Jordan merely produced those movies. Listen to me…“he ONLY produced them…” I didn’t mean to diminish his involvement. As I thought Friendship was Tim’s baby. Turns out, it was written and directed by Andrew DeYoung.
When I finally sat down to watch Friendship, I was waiting. And waiting…and waiting. Waiting for the laughs to come. Not once. I thought, “Was the comedy in this suppose to be anti-comedy?” Or something along those lines? The nuance, if any, was lost on me. I am quite aware of Tim’s other work; I Think You Should Leave and Detroiters. There are a couple standout segments from both that make me genuinely laugh. They don’t all land but I can see where he’s going with them.
Paul Rudd couldn’t even save this for me. Essentially, he was reprising his Brian Fantana role from Anchorman but without Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, he was out there, adrift, playing off of no one…Anchorless. Come on! I had to!
From the blurbs on the posters to reviews from legit critics, all claim this to be “THE Best Comedy of the Year!” or from GQ, “The funniest thing I’ve seen my entire life”. Yet, I’m over here yelling, “The Emperor isn’t wearing clothes!”
You and me both, Mugatu!
I won’t belabor the fact, I did not like this movie. What I will say is, if you want to see a movie about adult friendships also starring Paul Rudd? Watch I Love You, Man. You’re welcome.
Arguing With Myself 