Man, friendship has its challenges - just ask adult blokes

The Advertiser

17-07-2025

Friendship
(M, 100 minutes)
4 stars
It's not breaking news to say men don't always do friendship very well. I've heard it said that while female friendship is largely face to face - communicating - male friendship tends to be side by side - doing an activity together. Emotional vulnerability is not necessarily what men are good at, but sometimes they're not even very adroit at the basic social rituals and dynamics of maleness.
This is a film about something that will be painfully familiar to many men. Making new friends can be hard, especially as you get older, and closeness is even harder. If you're not a natural joiner or someone who's gregarious and prepossessing, it's tough to break into established friendship groups or ingratiate yourself with individuals, isn't it? Asking for a friend.
Many scenes from this dark comedy feel like they could have been skits in Netflix's I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson. There's the same blend of cringiness and deft exaggeration seen in that show's best bits, and its eponymous star and co-creator plays the lead role here.
He was an obvious choice, but he's not the movie's primary creative force. Friendship is the feature film debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, who's worked extensively in TV. And very impressive it is too, a comedy that's not entirely predictable and that has something to say.
Craig (Robinson) is a suburban husband and father whose life isn't going too well. His marriage to cancer survivor Tami (Kate Mara) is shaky - he's emotionally distant and clumsy, not even terribly supportive of the flower business she runs from home.
And things aren't great with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Glazer) either: mother and son have a close bond that eludes him. Craig is not evil, just clueless and a bit insensitive, a square peg in life's round hole. It's not surprising his wife is reconnecting with her ex (as friends, she says) and also not surprising that Craig feels threatened by this but doesn't know how to deal with it.
The arrival of a new neighbour seems it will be just the thing to reinvigorate Craig and his connection to life. Austin (Paul Rudd) is a local celebrity, a popular TV weatherman who's very personable. He and Craig quickly hit it off and do things. Austin takes Craig exploring in the town's aqueduct, Craig goes to see Austin's punk rock band perform.
This new friendship even helps Craig forge better relationships with his wife and son.
It seems too good to be true, and, of course, it is. Craig is maladroit and so desperate he acts inappropriately. He crashes Austin's studio during a broadcast and, invited to a guys' night with Austin and his friends, he injures his host. What he does to try to atone for it is bizarre and offputting. Exasperated, Austin tells him bluntly that the friendship is over.
Being ostracised really stings and seeing Austin and his friends - who manage to be both blokey and sensitive - hanging out only gnaws at Craig more. His actions become increasingly obsessive and unhinged. The script contrives ways to bring the men together in the latter stages that occasionally jar but it's easy to just go with things.
This is a comedy, but its serious undercurrent and measured tone and pace - this isn't a manic gagfest - might take getting used to, as might the unusual choice of ecclesiastical music on the soundtrack alongside tribal chants and pop songs. But it's the product of a distinctive talent behind the camera working with an excellent cast.
DeYoung doesn't make the mistake of making Craig a monster or Austin a saint. Even when Craig is self-sabotaging and behaving badly, you can feel for him: a lot of it is borne of loneliness and desperation and not knowing how to fit in. Mara and Glazer don't get many comic opportunities but play off Robinson well.
Although Austin is played by the likeable Rudd, there's something just a tiny bit offputting about him: if Craig is one of life's losers, Austin is a slick winner with a charmed life: even when the two are arrested for trespassing, the cops ask the weatherman for selfies. Austin has one vulnerability that Craig discovers: what will he do with it?
Side note, it's interesting how many of the (male) characters casually smoke cigarettes, going against the trend in recent decades both on screen and off.
It will be interesting to see what comes next from DeYoung.
Friendship
(M, 100 minutes)
4 stars
It's not breaking news to say men don't always do friendship very well. I've heard it said that while female friendship is largely face to face - communicating - male friendship tends to be side by side - doing an activity together. Emotional vulnerability is not necessarily what men are good at, but sometimes they're not even very adroit at the basic social rituals and dynamics of maleness.
This is a film about something that will be painfully familiar to many men. Making new friends can be hard, especially as you get older, and closeness is even harder. If you're not a natural joiner or someone who's gregarious and prepossessing, it's tough to break into established friendship groups or ingratiate yourself with individuals, isn't it? Asking for a friend.
Many scenes from this dark comedy feel like they could have been skits in Netflix's I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson. There's the same blend of cringiness and deft exaggeration seen in that show's best bits, and its eponymous star and co-creator plays the lead role here.
He was an obvious choice, but he's not the movie's primary creative force. Friendship is the feature film debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, who's worked extensively in TV. And very impressive it is too, a comedy that's not entirely predictable and that has something to say.
Craig (Robinson) is a suburban husband and father whose life isn't going too well. His marriage to cancer survivor Tami (Kate Mara) is shaky - he's emotionally distant and clumsy, not even terribly supportive of the flower business she runs from home.
And things aren't great with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Glazer) either: mother and son have a close bond that eludes him. Craig is not evil, just clueless and a bit insensitive, a square peg in life's round hole. It's not surprising his wife is reconnecting with her ex (as friends, she says) and also not surprising that Craig feels threatened by this but doesn't know how to deal with it.
The arrival of a new neighbour seems it will be just the thing to reinvigorate Craig and his connection to life. Austin (Paul Rudd) is a local celebrity, a popular TV weatherman who's very personable. He and Craig quickly hit it off and do things. Austin takes Craig exploring in the town's aqueduct, Craig goes to see Austin's punk rock band perform.
This new friendship even helps Craig forge better relationships with his wife and son.
It seems too good to be true, and, of course, it is. Craig is maladroit and so desperate he acts inappropriately. He crashes Austin's studio during a broadcast and, invited to a guys' night with Austin and his friends, he injures his host. What he does to try to atone for it is bizarre and offputting. Exasperated, Austin tells him bluntly that the friendship is over.
Being ostracised really stings and seeing Austin and his friends - who manage to be both blokey and sensitive - hanging out only gnaws at Craig more. His actions become increasingly obsessive and unhinged. The script contrives ways to bring the men together in the latter stages that occasionally jar but it's easy to just go with things.
This is a comedy, but its serious undercurrent and measured tone and pace - this isn't a manic gagfest - might take getting used to, as might the unusual choice of ecclesiastical music on the soundtrack alongside tribal chants and pop songs. But it's the product of a distinctive talent behind the camera working with an excellent cast.
DeYoung doesn't make the mistake of making Craig a monster or Austin a saint. Even when Craig is self-sabotaging and behaving badly, you can feel for him: a lot of it is borne of loneliness and desperation and not knowing how to fit in. Mara and Glazer don't get many comic opportunities but play off Robinson well.
Although Austin is played by the likeable Rudd, there's something just a tiny bit offputting about him: if Craig is one of life's losers, Austin is a slick winner with a charmed life: even when the two are arrested for trespassing, the cops ask the weatherman for selfies. Austin has one vulnerability that Craig discovers: what will he do with it?
Side note, it's interesting how many of the (male) characters casually smoke cigarettes, going against the trend in recent decades both on screen and off.
It will be interesting to see what comes next from DeYoung.
Friendship
(M, 100 minutes)
4 stars
It's not breaking news to say men don't always do friendship very well. I've heard it said that while female friendship is largely face to face - communicating - male friendship tends to be side by side - doing an activity together. Emotional vulnerability is not necessarily what men are good at, but sometimes they're not even very adroit at the basic social rituals and dynamics of maleness.
This is a film about something that will be painfully familiar to many men. Making new friends can be hard, especially as you get older, and closeness is even harder. If you're not a natural joiner or someone who's gregarious and prepossessing, it's tough to break into established friendship groups or ingratiate yourself with individuals, isn't it? Asking for a friend.
Many scenes from this dark comedy feel like they could have been skits in Netflix's I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson. There's the same blend of cringiness and deft exaggeration seen in that show's best bits, and its eponymous star and co-creator plays the lead role here.
He was an obvious choice, but he's not the movie's primary creative force. Friendship is the feature film debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, who's worked extensively in TV. And very impressive it is too, a comedy that's not entirely predictable and that has something to say.
Craig (Robinson) is a suburban husband and father whose life isn't going too well. His marriage to cancer survivor Tami (Kate Mara) is shaky - he's emotionally distant and clumsy, not even terribly supportive of the flower business she runs from home.
And things aren't great with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Glazer) either: mother and son have a close bond that eludes him. Craig is not evil, just clueless and a bit insensitive, a square peg in life's round hole. It's not surprising his wife is reconnecting with her ex (as friends, she says) and also not surprising that Craig feels threatened by this but doesn't know how to deal with it.
The arrival of a new neighbour seems it will be just the thing to reinvigorate Craig and his connection to life. Austin (Paul Rudd) is a local celebrity, a popular TV weatherman who's very personable. He and Craig quickly hit it off and do things. Austin takes Craig exploring in the town's aqueduct, Craig goes to see Austin's punk rock band perform.
This new friendship even helps Craig forge better relationships with his wife and son.
It seems too good to be true, and, of course, it is. Craig is maladroit and so desperate he acts inappropriately. He crashes Austin's studio during a broadcast and, invited to a guys' night with Austin and his friends, he injures his host. What he does to try to atone for it is bizarre and offputting. Exasperated, Austin tells him bluntly that the friendship is over.
Being ostracised really stings and seeing Austin and his friends - who manage to be both blokey and sensitive - hanging out only gnaws at Craig more. His actions become increasingly obsessive and unhinged. The script contrives ways to bring the men together in the latter stages that occasionally jar but it's easy to just go with things.
This is a comedy, but its serious undercurrent and measured tone and pace - this isn't a manic gagfest - might take getting used to, as might the unusual choice of ecclesiastical music on the soundtrack alongside tribal chants and pop songs. But it's the product of a distinctive talent behind the camera working with an excellent cast.
DeYoung doesn't make the mistake of making Craig a monster or Austin a saint. Even when Craig is self-sabotaging and behaving badly, you can feel for him: a lot of it is borne of loneliness and desperation and not knowing how to fit in. Mara and Glazer don't get many comic opportunities but play off Robinson well.
Although Austin is played by the likeable Rudd, there's something just a tiny bit offputting about him: if Craig is one of life's losers, Austin is a slick winner with a charmed life: even when the two are arrested for trespassing, the cops ask the weatherman for selfies. Austin has one vulnerability that Craig discovers: what will he do with it?
Side note, it's interesting how many of the (male) characters casually smoke cigarettes, going against the trend in recent decades both on screen and off.
It will be interesting to see what comes next from DeYoung.
Friendship
(M, 100 minutes)
4 stars
It's not breaking news to say men don't always do friendship very well. I've heard it said that while female friendship is largely face to face - communicating - male friendship tends to be side by side - doing an activity together. Emotional vulnerability is not necessarily what men are good at, but sometimes they're not even very adroit at the basic social rituals and dynamics of maleness.
This is a film about something that will be painfully familiar to many men. Making new friends can be hard, especially as you get older, and closeness is even harder. If you're not a natural joiner or someone who's gregarious and prepossessing, it's tough to break into established friendship groups or ingratiate yourself with individuals, isn't it? Asking for a friend.
Many scenes from this dark comedy feel like they could have been skits in Netflix's I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson. There's the same blend of cringiness and deft exaggeration seen in that show's best bits, and its eponymous star and co-creator plays the lead role here.
He was an obvious choice, but he's not the movie's primary creative force. Friendship is the feature film debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, who's worked extensively in TV. And very impressive it is too, a comedy that's not entirely predictable and that has something to say.
Craig (Robinson) is a suburban husband and father whose life isn't going too well. His marriage to cancer survivor Tami (Kate Mara) is shaky - he's emotionally distant and clumsy, not even terribly supportive of the flower business she runs from home.
And things aren't great with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Glazer) either: mother and son have a close bond that eludes him. Craig is not evil, just clueless and a bit insensitive, a square peg in life's round hole. It's not surprising his wife is reconnecting with her ex (as friends, she says) and also not surprising that Craig feels threatened by this but doesn't know how to deal with it.
The arrival of a new neighbour seems it will be just the thing to reinvigorate Craig and his connection to life. Austin (Paul Rudd) is a local celebrity, a popular TV weatherman who's very personable. He and Craig quickly hit it off and do things. Austin takes Craig exploring in the town's aqueduct, Craig goes to see Austin's punk rock band perform.
This new friendship even helps Craig forge better relationships with his wife and son.
It seems too good to be true, and, of course, it is. Craig is maladroit and so desperate he acts inappropriately. He crashes Austin's studio during a broadcast and, invited to a guys' night with Austin and his friends, he injures his host. What he does to try to atone for it is bizarre and offputting. Exasperated, Austin tells him bluntly that the friendship is over.
Being ostracised really stings and seeing Austin and his friends - who manage to be both blokey and sensitive - hanging out only gnaws at Craig more. His actions become increasingly obsessive and unhinged. The script contrives ways to bring the men together in the latter stages that occasionally jar but it's easy to just go with things.
This is a comedy, but its serious undercurrent and measured tone and pace - this isn't a manic gagfest - might take getting used to, as might the unusual choice of ecclesiastical music on the soundtrack alongside tribal chants and pop songs. But it's the product of a distinctive talent behind the camera working with an excellent cast.
DeYoung doesn't make the mistake of making Craig a monster or Austin a saint. Even when Craig is self-sabotaging and behaving badly, you can feel for him: a lot of it is borne of loneliness and desperation and not knowing how to fit in. Mara and Glazer don't get many comic opportunities but play off Robinson well.
Although Austin is played by the likeable Rudd, there's something just a tiny bit offputting about him: if Craig is one of life's losers, Austin is a slick winner with a charmed life: even when the two are arrested for trespassing, the cops ask the weatherman for selfies. Austin has one vulnerability that Craig discovers: what will he do with it?
Side note, it's interesting how many of the (male) characters casually smoke cigarettes, going against the trend in recent decades both on screen and off.
It will be interesting to see what comes next from DeYoung.