Films about a friendship between men are generally most successful in three genres. They are the western, the police drama, and the male buddy comedy. More often than not, some of the movies that are rooted in comedic sensibilities shift into stalker territory because one of the characters is unsure of the ground rules for two guys being good friends. Being quirky then becomes obsessive and all bets are off.
Two films about a relentlessly pestering friend becoming overly antagonistic to his newly-found buddy come to mind. The first is “The Cable Guy,” from 1996, which stars Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick and is directed by Ben Stiller, who is no slouch in the world of cinematic comedy. I think “The Cable Guy” is a genuine masterwork, and one of the funniest, most off-beat movies I’ve seen. Carrey was in the middle of his comedy genius phase and his talent rips through the screen. The second is “What About Bob?” from 1991, which stars Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss and is directed by Frank Oz. I didn’t like “What About Bob?” the first time I saw it and nothing changed years later after a second viewing. The annoyance factor involving Murray’s character never felt believable to me.
There’s a new pest in town, and it’s a character named Craig Waterman, who is played by actor and comedy sketch writer Tim Robinson in “Friendship,” which is now in theaters. Waterman is built around characters Robinson has created and performed, including on “Saturday Night Live” and in the Netflix series, “I Think You Should Leave.” Robinson celebrates a raucous, no-holds-barred brand of confrontational humor. It’s off-the-wall and can be surprising or even shocking. He wants to make you laugh, but he also wants to make you cringe. Comedians Larry David and Andy Kaufman come to mind. Robinson’s new movie is aimed directly at his fans.
The director is Andrew DeYoung, and this is his first feature film. He also wrote the screenplay, which rises out of his unique brand of satirical short films and television series. DeYoung has a directorial style in “Friendship” that values a color palette that borders on being almost non-existent. He’s a wordsmith, not a painter.
Robinson plays Waterman, who is a marketing executive — apps are his bread and butter. He lives with his wife Tami (Kate Mara), a cancer survivor, and their teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Neither wife nor son is all that overly enthusiastic about the man in their house, who, truth be told, can be a bit of a dullard. If he has a future in anything, it’s hard to see what it might be. Tami wants more emotion and some interest from Craig in what she finds worthwhile. Steven is a teenager; therefore, enough said. Being with Craig is like living a suburban version of gorillas in the mist. He’s almost a nowhere man. However, he can be explosive.
One day a package is delivered to the Waterman household that actually belongs to a new neighbor. The intended recipient is Austin Carmichael, a local television meteorologist. In a typically classic performance, actor Paul Rudd takes the role and runs with it. Starting with shared beers, the two men develop an unexpected friendship, especially because of the fact that Craig has never had a real friend.
As it plays out in the episodic movie, Austin delights Craig with the fact that he knows about a hidden tunnel system beneath a government building. Additionally, Austin is a master at foraging in the woods, especially for wild mushrooms, which is a magical thing to know how to do, especially from Craig’s point of view. Add fantasies about a yellow sports car, and “Friendship” has set the stage for a second half that needs an audience alert to what actor Robinson does when he’s performing at clubs.
Tami and Steven are intrigued, especially because Austin is also a musician who plays in a punk rock band. He also has a strong circle of male compatriots, all of whom know the rules for friendships among guys. As time goes by, there are hints that Craig might be turning into a better husband and father. With that possible slow-moving success, you know something is going to fall apart. Is Tami really happy with the new style Craig? Or has their boring marriage long ago settled into too much of a rut, thus inviting a personal refreshing tonic? What about the get-together in which he goes a bit too far in stepping up to the plate when it involves those friends of Austin’s? I’ll keep things secret, but ultimately, the fine bromance we’re watching might not be able to take a punch.
Comedy rooted in masculinity and its various forms, especially in a fictional film like “Friendship,” needs to be focused on how one man properly, or even improperly, reacts to the world around him. Does he understand the clues to a successful friendship when it doesn’t involve romance but does involve ever-changing gender roles, tropes and guidelines? That Craig has never bonded with a fellow male is the core of what writer-director DeYoung and Robinson are exploring.
Even though “Friendship” has its peaks and valleys, it does maintain a rhythm that keeps the audience expectant. DeYoung and Robinson are delivering a message that married men with children need some quality time of their own with other guys. They can’t always spend ceaseless days or nights, or both, in the basement workshop or standing in front of the barbecue. Well-acted by all, “Friendship” has found a character in the guise of Craig, who discovers something he’s never known, an adult friendship.
Of course, there are oddities and learned truths. Craig gets a drum set because Austin plays in a band. He understands that all may not be right with his marriage, but he hasn’t got the sociological tools to handle the situation. Or at the very least, talk to someone about it. “Friendship” is a comedy after all, and it’s built around a comedian who enjoys making people uncomfortable. Does Robinson truly think that adult male friendships are the answer? Or is he just mining his material for laughs? I will write this, there is one sequence that is as hilarious as anything I’ve seen in the movies. To paraphrase the popular song, if “you gotta have friends,” try to go see this movie with them.