Friendship review: A painfully awkward cringe comedy
Fans of Tim Robinson‘s sketch show, I Think You Should Leave, probably had a good idea of what to expect from his first leading movie role in Friendship, but I was not prepared!
The comedian stars as Craig Waterman, a socially awkward marketing executive with no male friends and a dissatisfied wife named Tami (Kate Mara). When his charismatic new neighbour, a weatherman named Austin (Paul Rudd), invites him around to hang out, Craig falls in platonic love with Austin and becomes obsessed, changing his entire personality. However, when he does something too weird, Austin cuts ties with him, and Craig’s life begins to unravel.
Making friends as an adult is hard, particularly if you’re a man in your 30s or 40s, and friendship breakups can be harder to get over than relationship ones. Andrew DeYoung‘s film is proof of those two things. It can be very uncomfortable watching the socially awkward Craig trying to hang out with the guys when it clearly doesn’t come easily to him. He makes up for his sense of inadequacy with unfunny jokes and absurd and outlandish behaviour, all of which will make you cringe.
Friendship balances a mix of tones. There are times when it’s truly hilarious, but others where it’s too dark or sad or weird to be funny anymore (others still laughed though). It really depends on your sense of humour.
Robinson’s comedy isn’t fully my taste, but I found a good chunk of his performance funny. One thing’s for sure, you can’t predict what he’s going to do next or how far he’ll take something! He truly commits to the bit and makes us cringe from secondhand embarrassment. His character’s decisions really stressed me out. Rudd, channelling Brian Fantana vibes, is charming and easily likeable (and as an amazing physical comedy moment). Meanwhile, I wanted to know more about Mara’s unhappy Tami, but it’s not her film!
Friendship will not work for everyone because its sense of humour is very specific. However, if you’re already a convert to Robinson’s comedy, you’ll probably be in your element.
In cinemas from Friday 18th July