Duplicity AND I Love You, Man
Dir: John Hamburg (Along Came Polly) Stars: Jason Segal, Paul Rudd
Synopsis: A man who has never had any close male friends must find a best man for his wedding.
Paul Rudd is the star of this movie, you might remember him as Phoebe's love interest in the later years of 'Friends' and from a bunch of Judd Apatow movies. I saw him in the dumb, but funny comedy 'Role Models' last week too. I think this guy is a rising comedic star. Though he's been around for a long time, he's starting to break through in the mainstream. Jason Segal was on the amazing Apatow TV show 'Freaks and Geeks' as well as in the surprisingly funny 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall.'
I Love You, Man falls under the category of 'bromance.' A bromance is a movie where the time that would normally be given to a romantic subplot is instead given to the friendship of two men. They've been gaining popularity lately, but really, it's been around since as long ago as the Three Stooges or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I think it shows an evolution in people, and in men in general, that we can laugh at this kind of thing. It promotes more sensitivity in men, throwing that idiotic 1950's notion of 'a real man' out the window. Good riddance!
The only problem I had with the movie was that there is very little conflict. Conflict is drama --- character is revealed through conflict. Seeing how a character reacts in a situation is how you learn about that character. Some conflict finally appears near the end, but much of the movie feels like it isn't really about anything. It's just two guys hanging out.
That being said --- I did think this movie was funny. I laughed from start to finish, and the theatre audience seemed to be enjoying it as well. There are some funny lines and gags, including an extended cameo appearance by Lou Ferrigno (TV's Incredible Hulk). The reason this movie makes the cut though, is due to the charisma of Paul Rudd and Jason Segal. They are likeable, funny guys that have good chemistry. This movie might not have worked without them (or similarly talented comedians).
3 Dorks out of 5 on the Geek-o-Meter!
Dir: Tony Gilroy Stars: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen
Synopsis: Two ex-spies with a steamy past get entangled in a plot of corporate espionage.
Tony Gilroy is a hugely talented guy. He wrote the Bourne movies and wrote and directed Michael Clayton, a movie that really blew me away. I think this guy will have a lot of great movies in him as he wades into his career.
There was some great casting in this movie, with Clive and Julia doing great jobs. They're backed up by incredible actors Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti. Like 'I Love You, Man', the strength of the actors carries the movie a little bit.
Duplicity is an intelligently written, fun little romp. But some may find it too smart for it's own good. Some of the plot twists and turns get a bit complex. I think it was meant to be like that, in the style of film noir, where the plots are purposefully too convoluted. But it probably wasn't necessary in this movie, and it will throw some audience members off. This is probably a movie for film lovers or the over 30 set. It sort of reminded me of Intolerable Cruelty by the Coen Brothers, but more complex. It had a similiar vibe.
3 Dorks out of 5 on the Geek-o-Meter.