A One Mann’s Movies review of “Friendship” (2025, 3.5*, 15).
So, the most famous characters of Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan and Tim Key go into a bar…. Such might be the start of a sketch where an awful lot of cringy social interactions occur: interactions that – as an Englishman – would make me want to curl up into a small ball and be somewhere else. To that esteemed group of comedy actors, we can now add Tim Robinson – a Saturday Night Live alumnus – but who manages to capture that same cringeworthy style of comedy with “Friendship”.
This also makes for an interesting movie-trivia question if you are the quizmaster for your next pub quiz: what key plot-point connects this film with Andrea Arnold’s “Bird”. (Answer added at the end of this review.)
Plot:
Craig (Tim Robinson) is in a difficult marriage with the newly cancer-free Tami (Kate Mara). Unsatisfied in bed (she confesses to a ‘feelings’ group about desperately wanting an orgasm again with Craig sat right there!), Tami may or may not be having an affair with her hunky ex Devon (Josh Segarra). Desperately needing affirmation, Craig latches onto local TV weatherman Austin (Paul Rudd), newly arrived in their neighbourhood. But as bad goes to worse, can Craig handle the rejection?
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kata Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rick Worthy, Whitmer Thomas, Daniel London, Eric Rahill, Jacob Ming-Trent, Billy Bryk, Meredith Garretson, Ari Dalbert, Jon Glaser, Josh Segarra.
Directed by: Andrew DeYoung.
Written by: Andrew DeYoung.
Running Time: 1h 40m.
Summary:
Positives:
- Some genuinely funny – if cringeworthy – moments. A toad-related scene is hilarious.
- Paul Rudd’s character is wonderfully anarchic with acts as a great counterpoint.
- A final beaming smile makes your heart break for Craig!
Negatives:
- It’s a fun little film, but never quite graduates to the level of ‘greatness’.
- Some might find the humour too cringey to be enjoyable.
Full Review of “Friendship”:
Awkwardness personified.
Some people love the awkward Ricky Gervais / Alan Partridge style. And I know others (the Illustrious Mrs Movie Mann included) who really can’t cope with the embarrassment. Similarly, for some, the brilliant “Ballad of Wallace Island” was almost ruined by Tim Key’s hyper-embarrassing Charles character. This is a similar experience (and the reason why I went to see this one alone). If you are not into ‘cringe comedy’ then this might not be your sort of film.
Tim Robinson – not an actor I am familiar with – is excruciatingly needy as Craig, weaselling his way into Austin’s circle of friends and then immediately putting his foot well and truly in it. It’s just painful to watch. This is all helped enormously by Austin (Paul Rudd, having a whale of a time) being a bit of a rebel, pushing the bounds of acceptable (and indeed legal) behaviour by going on an adventure through the sewer system to come up inside the City Hall and smoke on the roof. Of course, Craig tries to live up to this bravado, with cataclysmic and embarrassing results!
Craig is ‘punching’
Equally key to the social awkwardness is Craig’s family. The moment you see that his wife Tami is played by the gorgeous Kate Mara you can spot the apparent mismatch: Tami, assumed, beautiful, small-business owner; Craig; clumsy, awkward, reclusive, failing middle-manager. You never find out what goes on in Devon’s ‘pool-house’… but you can guess. Are we supposed to assume that Craig has always been like this? (in which case WHAT on earth did Tami see in him?) Or has he fallen into a rut and is now in the midst of a major mid-life crisis?
Licking the toad!
Of all of the funny scenes in the movie, for me the hallucinogenic toad slime scene rates as the funniest. I laughed when he thought the $100 was to buy the toad – “What do I feed it on?” But then there is the trip itself. You are never entirely sure what sort of trip Craig is going to go on, but a trip by Subway – and a ludicrously bland trip at that – was certainly unexpected!
Summary Thoughts on “Friendship”
There are precious few comedy films released to cinemas, so this one was to be welcomed. And it managed to smash the 6-squirmy-laughs test for a squirmy-comedy which is good. This was the debut feature film from writer/director Andrew DeYoung so I’ll look forward to more of his output.
Was it the belly-laugh-fest comedy of the year? No, not for me. (I have high-hopes for “The Naked Gun” reboot next week, but we’ll see.) But it was good and recommended provided, unlike the Illustrious Mrs Movie Mann, you are allergic to this type of comedy.
Where to watch?
Trailer for “Friendship”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSPwZIZu6Y.
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