Movies

It’s hilarious. It’s awkward. It’s ‘Friendship’

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I’ve been noticing an increasing discussion about a “male loneliness epidemic,” which makes me think of the Black Death in its intensity and impact. This sentiment is beautifully captured in the film “Friendship” by Andrew DeYoung, who has also worked on shows like “PEN15” and “Shrill.” In this heart-wrenching yet amusing tale, a man navigates a complex friendship with another man who seems to be stuck in childhood. Their bond is tested, strained, and ultimately destroyed, leaving destruction in its wake. This film serves as a chilling reflection of the challenges adults face when trying to forge new friendships, distorted through a funhouse mirror.

In a simpler, more conversational rephrasing: Tim Robinson portrays Craig, a joyful father who enjoys hanging out with his fresh neighbor, Austin (Paul Rudd). However, a guys’ night out takes an unexpected turn when there’s a fight, leading to someone dialing the police. Craig grapples with intense emotions like denial, anger, bargaining, and depression due to losing his best friend. He finds it hard to accept the situation. Incidentally, he experiences two unexplained nosebleeds.

In other settings, Robinson is widely recognized as a symbol for men’s social anxiety – the outcast who struggles so profoundly with social etiquette that he often oversteps boundaries and breaks down in tears. His popular sketch series, “I Think You Should Leave,” has earned him two consecutive Emmy awards due to his skillful portrayal of layering vulnerability within anger, such as the scene where he is expelled from an adults-only ghost tour and cries, “I don’t understand what’s happening; it seems like our signals got mixed up!” Although Robinson has never stated that his characters are on the autism spectrum, fans with autism have created videos expressing their strong connection to his portrayals of confusion.

Standing at just 5 feet 8 inches tall, Robinson can give off an intimidating impression of size. Choices that might diminish other actors, such as over-sized coats, slouched posture, or public ridicule, only serve to make him seem even larger. When Craig feels the sting of potential embarrassment, he retaliates aggressively. He yearns to fit in, but would rather interrupt, dispute, and correct than allow the tension to dissipate. The movie bears a striking resemblance to an extended version of “ITYSL,” which is why it’s worth noting that DeYoung conceived the script idea for the film in 2018, before the show even began. If the movie were to star someone like Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell instead, it would be a completely different beast. Maybe his experience in television has taught DeYoung to cater to others’ preferences before asserting his own.

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In the festival lineup, ‘The Astronaut,’ ‘The Dutchman,’ and ‘Friendship’ are being performed, showcasing Kate Mara’s impressive range and depth as an actor.

Robinson finds himself enveloped by a sense of everyday life: casual conversations, genuine laughter, and the soft lighting typically found in home-insurance advertisements. Craig, along with his realistic wife, Kate Mara, and their engaging son, Jack Dylan Grazer, add to this ordinary setting. In the initial scene, which unfolds at a couples’ support group, Mara delivers a heartfelt, relatable speech about sexual issues and lethargy that is common in earnest independent films. Craig, unsurprisingly, disrupts the somber atmosphere by declaring, “I’m having no trouble with orgasms.

It’s hard to fathom how Tami could have initially decided to wed him, given that she prefers to spend the majority of her time with her former partner (Josh Segarra), a handsome and compassionate fireman. On the other hand, Craig becomes smitten with Austin, a local meteorologist whose leisure activities – such as mushroom hunting, exploring urban caves, and forming a punk rock band in a garage – bring genuine happiness to Craig. Previously, no one had expressed a desire to befriend him. (Craig can be difficult to tolerate, leading us to sympathize with his tormentors like Eric Rahill, who plays a convincing antagonist as a cruel colleague.) When Austin makes a cheesy joke on the nightly news, Craig’s smile lights up like Santa Claus himself has appeared.

In Austin’s portrayal, his luxurious mustache contrasts with his character’s dialog, feeling somewhat inconsistent. It appears that Rudd is trapped in the role reminiscent of Will Ferrell from the film. I can accept that Austin’s character is a bit insincere and feigning ignorance about owning a cellphone. However, when he confesses his lie, there seems to be no consequence (apart from several amusing scenes with Billy Bryk’s character at a phone store). The movie doesn’t seem interested in exploring other characters’ emotions; instead, it focuses on keeping Craig stranded on Oddball Island. Emotional depth would make things too straightforward.

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Nonetheless, the scenes between Rudd and Robinson are outstanding. They manage to elicit laughter even during something as ordinary as ordering a sandwich at Subway. In fact, Rudd has previously created a film with a reversed narrative, the 2009 comedy “I Love You, Man,” where he portrayed a shy character who learns to let loose from his buddy (Jason Segel). However, in this movie, there’s no learning experience; Craig attempts and fails to emulate Austin when he’s not around.

Robinson did not originate the style of awkward comedy; instead, it can be traced back to Anton Chekhov’s silent play “The Sneeze,” which is similar to an early sketch from Saturday Night Live. The story revolves around a man who inadvertently sneezes on a government official’s neck and subsequently becomes increasingly anxious trying to rectify the situation, leading to a nervous breakdown and ultimately his demise. However, “Friendship” seems perfectly timed for today. Social norms are evolving as physical communities are becoming less common, making it possible for anyone to go from unnoticed to an internet sensation in a matter of seconds – potentially finding themselves the subject of a viral video that exposes them.

It’s challenging to live as a human, which is why Craig might feel like he’s just a group of opossums in a suit. From what I’ve observed about Robinson outside the camera (he doesn’t seem to enjoy media interactions), he appears to be a wonderful man who is raising two teenagers with his high school sweetheart. He portrays awkwardness for our benefit.

Despite his first significant film part following the smash hit of his TV show, it seems like he’s on a path from clown to actor, eventually earning an Oscar alongside his Emmy. However, I must acknowledge that DeYoung might not receive the recognition he deserves for this exceptional comedic performance, as it appears more like another Tim Robinson demonstration of self-destructive talent. Perhaps expressing it this way seems odd or inappropriate, but maybe it’s just honest.

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2025-05-09 13:31

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