Movies

Tim Robinson’s ‘Friendship’: Sketch Comedy Overextended to Feature Length

BBG News

In a fresh and accessible manner: Tim Robinson, previously a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, now sharing screen time with Paul Rudd in the edgy, uncomfortable comedy Friendship, is likely a creative genius. His work, whether it’s here or in his popular Netflix sketch series I Think You Should Leave, revolves around an auteurist brand of discomfort, where he plays characters who are slightly out of it but harbor deep-seated anger, always with the wrong line at the wrong time, displaying facial expressions that don’t align with what he’s saying, body language that seems to move according to alien rhythms. I Think You Should Leave is a collection of absurd situations presented as bite-sized pieces of aggressive humor: Robinson as a man caught peeking at a “nude egg” on his work computer, as a dim-witted guy asking for a Bryan Cranston haircut and receiving a springer spaniel cut instead, as a struggling performer specializing in gentle Charlie Chaplin-esque comedy, only to lose control when frat boys disrupt his shows. On paper, it may seem nonsensical, but Robinson crafts a realistic, albeit strange, world for each character. He’s like a contemporary Zippy the Pinhead, an innocent oddball navigating life out of sync with society.

How about striking the right balance with Tim Robinson? Perhaps the ideal dose is found in “Friendship,” the directorial debut of writer Andrew DeYoung. Robinson portrays Craig Waterman, an ordinary suburban man with a monotonous job, a wife (Kate Mara) who’s losing affection, and a son (Jack Dylan Grazer) whose apathy verges on hostility. Craig drifts through life in shabby mud-colored attire. His coworkers endure his quirks, but barely. A void exists in Craig’s life, and he’s unaware of it—until the charismatic TV weatherman Austin Carmichael (Rudd) moves into a nearby house and hints at his desire for friendship. They meet briefly, when Craig goes over to return a misplaced package. Austin’s cheerful farewell—”Stay curious, Craig Waterman!”—injects a touch of optimism in Craig’s stride.

The bond between them flourishes due to Austin’s charming boldness, something that Craig admires and attempts to emulate. Austin performs in a band with a punk vibe, though it’s not particularly radical; however, Craig finds it the most impressive thing he’s ever witnessed. Late one night, Austin guides Craig on an exciting journey through a maze-like aqueduct, culminating in their unauthorized entry into city hall after hours. Austin appears oblivious to his neighbor’s social awkwardness until Craig playfully knocks him unconscious during a gathering among friends – supposedly just for fun. This incident marks a turning point, and Austin ends their friendship, leaving Craig feeling lonely, angry, and determined to prove himself as a cool individual worthy of companionship.

The essence of friendship is often found in the poignant reality that it’s challenging for men to forge connections, which might explain why the movie’s initial scenes—where Austin genuinely wants to spend time with Craig, viewing his social awkwardness as intriguing rather than off-putting—resonate most. At first, Austin seems oblivious or unbothered by Craig’s clumsiness, encouraging us to view him sympathetically, as a kind but bumbling individual struggling with buying properly fitting clothes. However, as Craig’s distress intensifies, Robinson becomes less amusing and more exhausting. Craig is fired after an explosive outburst in a crucial business meeting. His wife abandons him. His troubles accumulate relentlessly. It’s not that Robinson lacks finesse; there are instances when his goofy, toothy grin comes close to tugging at your heartstrings, despite, in a subtle and awkward way, also provoking your disdain. The issue, though, is that the Tim Robinson portrayed in the three-to-four-minute sketches of I Think You Should Leave is just the right dosage of Tim Robinson—in this specific comedic style. It’s why we savor strong liqueurs, digestifs, espresso in small glasses or cups. The more potent the concoction, the less we can consume at once. Sometimes, this also applies to comic genius—too much at once can be overwhelming.

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2025-05-09 14:06

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