Reel Rewind: I Love You, Man

After hearing a few good reviews from a few good friends, and realizing that I really needed to laugh, last weekend I went to see I Love You, Man. While this film by director John Hamburg (who also directed Along Came Polly, another comedy favorite) doesn't really warrant an official review, I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want to leave it out. This is one of those films that is better when seen in a theater with an audience to laugh with you. Hubby and I agreed that the film can best be described as a "chick flick" for guys. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel play into their characters so perfectly, it is as if the parts were written specifically for these two actors. Unlike most recent comedies that use over-the-top and shocking tactics to make people laugh, I Love You, Man didn't stoop so low. The humor is universal but didn't make me cringe.

Movies like this bring up a good point about the value of the movie-watching experience. While it is easy to be frustrated when someone next to you is eating popcorn too loudly, there is something to be said for watching a movie in a room full of other people that are laughing out loud along with you. For a couple of hours, audience members put aside any differences and enjoy a universal emotional experience. While it is always nice to enjoy a film from the comfort of your couch without distraction, there is something very cool about watching a film in a large group, feeding off of the energy in the room, and letting out a huge laugh along with this audience of strangers.