I Love You, Man

Do you know those movies that merit absolutely no emotional responses whatsoever, yet inexplicably get them from everyone that see them? Meet "I Love You, Man," the latest over-hyped, under-performing comedy in a sea of plenty. Given its many top-billed stars and can't-miss formula, it is the perfect example of such a movie.

Paul Rudd and Jason Segel star in this one, which Dreamworks tagged "he needed a best man... he got the worst." Based on that alone, it almost seems like an Apatow project, doesn't it? In fact, it isn't, although it might have improved the film some if it were.

Rudd stars as Peter Klaven, a real estate agent about to marry the love of his life, Zooey, played by Rashida Jones. It seems like everything will work out perfectly for the two until Peter realizes that he doesn't have any male friends that could be his best man. The role, which might actually have suited Segel better, completely suffocates Rudd. He comes off as a clingy girlfriend-type and never has an opportunity to showcase his traditional deadpan delivery.

After a series of failed "man-dates," we meet Sydney Fife, played by Segel, a laid-back investor who shows up to one of Peter's showings and strikes up a friendship with him. Sydney is everything Peter isn't. He's blunt, honest and, well, a "real" man. The two quickly become close, hanging out regularly and sharing a mutual love of the Canadian rock band, Rush.

It all gets a bit too predictable from here on out. Peter's relationship with Zooey begins to suffer, just not in the way we're used to. Instead of another woman, it's another manand the two are close enough that a gay man, played by Thomas Lennon, from one of Peter's man-dates assumes they're a couple. Zooey leaves Peter and goes to stay with her best friend and her husband (Jaime Pressly and Jon Favreau, whose talents go completely to waste). Peter "ends things" with Sydney and... need I really continue? We all know where the film's going as it unfolds, and ta-da. They fail to surprise us at the end.

"I Love You, Man" is so underwhelming and comes as a bit of a disappointment. Given its star cast (which, in addition to the ever-likable Rudd and Segel, also includes performances from J.K. Simmons, Andy Samberg and Lou Ferrigno), you wouldn't think the producers would have to serve up a batch of laughs and a storyline that seem so forced.

You'll get your share of laughs, to be sure. But they're rarely natural laughs, more the sort of laughter that arises from situations we feel we're "supposed to" laugh at. And what's worse, you almost start to feel a bit juvenile for continually doing so.

In the end, the effect of "I Love You, Man" is not one that dumbs its audience down, but one that numbs it altogether. At the end, it's hard to feel much of anything, not even a remote inkling of emotion toward the normally charismatic Rudd and Segel.

Sorry, guys, but it's kind of hard to love this one.