Here’s the barrier to entry for the movie Friendship. They really should ask you this before you head into the theater. If you know and like the comedic stylings of actor and writer Tim Robinson in shows like I Think You Should Leave and Detroiters, then head right in.
If you don’t like his comedy, then you might not want to head in.
Stunningly, the movie was not written by Robinson. It was written and directed by Andrew DeYoung. Robinson might have some sort of mind-meld with DeYoung because it feels like he’s doing some of his best work here. Robinson stars as Craig, a family man living at home with his wife Tami (played by Kate Mara) and his son Steven (played by Jack Dylan Grazer). It’s a mundane life for Craig, filled with office meetings, and his wife being a little too close to an ex. Oh, and he really wants his family to see the latest Marvel in theaters.
This all changes when a package arrives at their house that’s meant for a neighbor. He realizes that life can be so much better after he runs the package over to his new neighbor Austin (played by Paul Rudd). The mustachioed Rudd is channeling a bit of his old Brian Fantana-energy mixed with a bit of I Love You Man. He’s cool, but like middle-aged guy cool. He’s a weatherman and plays in a punk band. Austin opens up the world for Craig and they even go on an adventure in the sewers of their town.
That all changes when Austin basically breaks up with Craig.
Yes, this movie dramatizes two dudes “breaking” up over the course of an hour and forty minutes. Except it’s the breakup from one side. An outrageous, insane, obsessive, but still funny side. Robinson’s somewhat descent into madness over this friendship meeting its natural end is hilarious. There are some scenes, like when Craig meets Austin’s other friends, that verge on cringe, but you can’t stop watching through the laughing.
Rudd plays the straight-man to Robinson here, but even he gets in on some of the hilarity, particularly when some unsavory things are revealed about his character. I would normally say this is a tennis match between Rudd and Robinson, but it’s really Robinson playing tennis with himself running back and forth across the court. Each laugh, every moment of hilarity comes from Robinson’s performance.
Friendship has a moment involving a drug trip that’s in contention for laugh of the year from me. I laughed so hard and for so long in the middle of a screening room, that I was scared I was going to disturb the other people screening the film.
Friendship leans into that absurd ground where plenty of other actors and filmmakers wouldn’t dream of going into. Andrew DeYoung and Co. craft a beautifully shot comedy that is uproariously funny and even at times, a bit heartfelt. Craig is insane, there’s no doubt about that, but Robinson’s performance lets through some of the cracks with a genuine earnestness that is what makes Friendship that much more special. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still played for laughs, but there’s a bit of everyone’s experience with making friends at an older age that’s in this film.
That’s the magic of Friendship. Seeing that there is something relatable even in the insanity of the whole film. It might not be for everyone, but this film is going to hit hard for the people who love this type of comedy.
Friendship releases in theaters on May 9th, 2025.
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