OC Screenwriters Association

Take heart, all mooney-eyed, tender souls in search of fantasy funny love; the romantic comedy is NOT dead. Indeed it is not, but it has adorned a new persona, the Bromance. A “bromance” is not a male driven romantic comedy (ala Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin), there’s no boy on boy action involved. It celebrates the joy of brotherhood. And in the case of I Love You, Man it’s all good.  
I Love You, Man was directed and written by John Hamburg (with Larry Levine of Seinfeld creed), starring Paul Rudd as Peter and Jason Segal as Sydney. It’s a simple story that faithfully follows the classic, etched in stone romantic comedy structure (from which one must NEVER deviate, stop saying that you can):  
Boy meets girl (boy): Paul meets Sydney at open house and they later bond over fish tacos and beer. It’s awkward, yet sweet and we feel the sparks.
Boy gets girl (boy). Guys become best friends, hang out a lot in Sydney’s man cave, discuss disgusting guy things and jam to Rush, “Sweet, sweet hanging!”

Boy loses girl (boy) due to interference by family or corrupt official: Paul dumps Sydney when his fiancé becomes jealous and suspicious of their relationship coupled with Sydney’s faux pas of inappropriate investments in a series of hilarious billboards (which deserved more screen time IMO, providing the biggest laughs in this very funny movie)

Boy gets girl (boy) back due to duex ex machina: Sydney and Paul reunite and kindle their bromance and it’s a beautiful thing. This is not a spoiler, the viewer knows it’s going to happen and you will smile and maybe bat away a few tears. Hello, Romantic Comedies MUST have a happy ending! (The freaking The Break-Up did not follow this structure, did not have a happy ending and is therefore NOT a romantic comedy, so stop saying that is! Dammit.)

There seems to be quite an obsession with projectile vomiting and dog doo, but no lurid sex, nudity, etc...Just a sweet story of two guys who learn that guys need other guys, dude. Guys like to talk about their rules. It's important to discuss masturbation and play air guitar, even better if you can twang a bass. Only guys can appreciate the love another guy has for Rush.  

Manly, yes. But chicks like it too!  

I Love You, Man is such a simple joy, much credit is given to the lead actors who all give heart-felt, goofy performances (and what a thrill to see Jane Curtin again and any movie with Thomas Lennon is okie-dokey by me) but this flick really relies on its good solid cheekbones, hanging beautifully from it’s structure.

I give it 7. 5 lemons…and that’s enough to make a tangy, tart meringue .