I Love You Man

I Love You, Man is a 2009 American comedy film originally titled Let's be Friends and the written by Larry Levin before John Hamburg rewrote and directed the film. Starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, and Rashida Jones the film focuses on Peter's (Rudd) lack of male friends and the bond that forms between him and Sydney (Segel).

The film was released theatrically in North America on March 20, 2009, to mostly positive reviews and took second spot in the box office during its opening week. The film was released on home video on August 11, 2009.

Cast

   * Paul Rudd as Peter Klaven
   * Jason Segel as Sydney Fife
   * Rashida Jones as Zooey Rice
   * Jaime Pressly as Denise McLean
   * Sarah Burns as Hailey
   * Andy Samberg as Robbie Klaven
   * J. K. Simmons as Oswald Klaven
   * Jane Curtin as Joyce Klaven
   * Jon Favreau as Barry McLean
   * Lou Ferrigno as Himself
   * Rob Huebel as Tevin Downey
   * Aziz Ansari as Eugene
   * Nick Kroll as Larry
   * Mather Zickel as Gil
   * Thomas Lennon as Doug Evans
   * Murray Gershenz as Mel
   * Joe Lo Truglio as Lonnie
   * Josh Cooke as Alan
   * Jay Chandrasekhar as Party Guest
   * David Krumholtz as Sydney's Buddy
   * Larry Wilmore as Minister
   * Brennan Reynolds as Shirt
   * Carla Gallo as Zooey's friend
   * Rush as themselves
   * OK Go as The Wedding Band "Tastes Like Chicken"
   * Matthew Thurmon as Carter

Release

I Love You, Man received largely positive reviews that mostly centered on the chemistry between Rudd and Segel, as well as the supporting performances.

The film review website Rotten Tomatoes gave it an overall approval rating of 83%, with selected critics giving it an 86% approval rating. Metacritic gave it a critic average score of 70. Giving the film 3 out of 4 stars, Peter Travers with Rolling Stone said that despite the formulaic plot, "It's the variations that Rudd and Segel spin on this theme that make the movie hugely enjoyable." He also praised the supporting cast. Entertainment Weekly gave the film an A, and said that "Paul Rudd gives a startlingly funny and original performance." USA Today gave the film a glowing review, stating "the movie works because everything hinges on the camaraderie and undeniable chemistry between Rudd and Segel." More conservatively, People magazine said the movie "sails along on goodwill and blush-worthy bawdiness," but concluded that "like instant chocolate pudding, it goes down easy — even if it isn't especially good for you."

The film was not without its critics, however. Peter Rainer of The Christian Science Monitor was not impressed with the film, and after noting that the character Sydney seemed to be written for Owen Wilson, Rainer remarked, "Maybe Wilson was busy. Lucky him." The Colorado Daily described the relationship between the male leads as a "watered-down false bromance", noting that the pace of their relationship seemed "rushed", and that Peter was looking out for his wife rather than his best friend.

In its U.S. opening weekend, the film made $17,810,270 in 2,711 theaters, ranking number 2 at the box office. The film grossed $71,440,011 domestically and $20,196,975 internationally making $91,636,986 worldwide. I Love You, Man was able to stay in the box office top 10 for 5 weeks. This places it at number 27 of films released in 2009.

The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 11, 2009 in the US and August 24, 2009 in Europe and as of November 2009 generated more than $22 million in DVD sales. I Love You, Man was ranked number 2 in sales during its opening week and declined from there. The DVD extras contains an hour and a half of content including a full performance of "Limelight."

Awards

The film has been nominated for Best Kiss for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards for the smooch between Thomas Lennon's character Doug and Rudd's Peter, but lost to Twilight. It was also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Film - Wide Release" during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards, even though the movie does not contain any homosexual content.