As I pulled up to the Belcourt Theatre for a special screening of A24’s Friendship, I was taken aback by the long line winding around the building. Could this be for that movie? After finally finding a parking spot, I checked their website and discovered that the show was sold out. My anxiety began to creep in because I’m not exactly one for large crowds. Still, I decided to go in and face the situation because of my excitement for this film.
I settled into my seat at the end of the row and prepared for the show to begin. The theater was packed, but fortunately, the audience was calm and collected. As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd, and we sat back to watch a few trailers, all eagerly anticipating the laughs that were sure to come.
As anticipated, the laughter kicked off about 30 seconds in and continued throughout the entire runtime.
Tim Robinson, widely recognized for his work on the Netflix sketch-comedy series, I Think You Should Leave, takes center stage as the lead in this new comedy. While I wasn’t very familiar with Robinson beyond a few memes I’d encountered on social media, I knew he had a background in sketch comedy.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by just how funny he truly is!
Friendship centers on Craig Waterman (played by Robinson), a quirky suburban dad who works in an office where he develops ways to make apps more engaging. His wife, Tami (Kate Mara), is a florist currently enjoying a remission from cancer. At the same time, their son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer), is a compassionate teenager who might have a slightly overwhelming affection for his mother.
Encouraging Craig to step out of his comfort zone and make new friends, Tami nudges him into an unexpected bond with their neighbor, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd). As the local weatherman, Austin is considered a bit of a celebrity. Their friendship blossoms over casual evening beers, outings to forage for wild mushrooms and even a daring escapade breaking into city hall through the sewers.
However, things worsen after one night spent with Austin and his male friends. When their friendship ends, Craig finds himself spiraling into turmoil.
I recommend going into this movie with as little prior knowledge as possible. Fortunately, A24 did an excellent job crafting the trailers, ensuring too many jokes or key plot points weren’t revealed. I had caught a glimpse of a trailer before watching the film but knowing that Paul Rudd was involved excited me. It was also a delightful surprise to see Jack Dylan Grazer from the recent It films; he’s grown up, and that makes me feel a bit old!
This movie marks the feature debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, and I am genuinely impressed by his skills in bringing this project to life. The snowy, Midwestern setting perfectly evokes a sense of isolation, heightening Craig’s loneliness.
Drawing from his background in television, DeYoung collaborated with cinematographer Andy Rydzewski to create a visually striking film. I particularly appreciate the editing style, which employed numerous close-up shots and pullbacks that contributed to the film’s quirky charm.
Friendship premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and was acquired by A24 shortly afterward. I would say that’s quite an accomplishment!
I couldn’t imagine a better pairing for this project than Rudd and Robinson. Their chemistry and banter are off the charts! How they interact and toss jokes back and forth is hilarious and so natural. Rudd nails the role of the “cool guy,” making you instantly want to be his friend! As for Robinson, he’s quickly become one of my favorite comedy actors after witnessing his talent in this. He has a unique way of delivering jokes with a growl that sets him apart from anyone else in the game right now, and it just amplifies the humor even more!
Many people are calling this the cringe comedy version of I Love You, Man, and I completely agree with that.
My theater was roaring with laughter throughout the entire movie. By the time the credits rolled, I was practically worn out from all the chuckling. It’s been ages since I’ve laughed that hard during a film. I hope it translates well to the small screen, but there’s just something about experiencing it in a packed theater and sharing those laughs with others that’s so special, compared to watching alone at home.
The cringeworthy comedy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I can tell you it resonated with almost everyone at my screening, except for the young woman sitting next to me, who strangely spent the whole time glued to her phone.
One final element that I truly appreciated and is arguably one of the most crucial aspects of the film: the score. The music is both extravagant and intriguingly eccentric, seamlessly enhancing the overall atmosphere of the movie. Its whimsical quality evokes a Wes Anderson feel, yet it maintains its unique identity rather than drifting into the realm of typical indie film soundtracks.
Each melody intertwines perfectly with the visuals, heightening the emotional impact and adding depth to the story. Especially the third act, when Craig seems to be spiraling into madness, which includes licking a psychedelic toad (yes, you read that correctly).
Fun fact: the composer is Keegan DeWitt, who is the lead singer of Wild Cub, a band he formed with another composer, Nashville native Jeremy Bullock. I love to see some local representation!
Overall, I rate Friendship four and a half out of five stars. I absolutely love this film and am thrilled by how the audience reacted to it. I’m holding back a half-star because I don’t believe it has great rewatch value once you’ve uncovered the main plot twists and jokes.
But I’m calling it now: this will be the best comedy movie of the year.
…And the next time you enter a crowded theater, remember that for films like this, the energy of a full house truly enhances the experience like no other. I encourage you to see this as soon as possible with a full house!