I’m not exactly sure what tone Friendship means to set, but the movie itself feels confident in its own skin. And that counts for a lot. Written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, the film stars Tim Robinson as Craig, a suburban schlub who develops a man-crush on his new neighbor, Austin, played by Paul Rudd. For its first half, Friendship amusingly examines the particular peculiarities of men trying to bond—especially the way they tend to revert to a middle-school mentality. (The first time they hang out, Austin shows Craig a prehistoric hatchet, then takes him trespassing in the city sewers.) At first you wonder who’s weirder—Austin or Craig—but then the movie concentrates its attention on Craig’s increasing mania, desperation, and bizarre behavior. (After a faux pas at guys’ night, Craig shoves a bar of soap in his mouth as punishment, while everyone stares in confused silence.) If you were a big fan of the Netflix sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, which specialized in this sort of cringe comedy, then you probably won’t mind that Robinson becomes the focus, even if the thematic promise of the title goes unfulfilled. As a director, DeYoung keeps things lively with a dynamic use of the camera, employing quick zooms and uncomfortable close-ups. The latter is especially effective in the opening shot—a tight profile of Craig’s wife (a game Kate Mara). As she shares something vulnerable in a support group, the focus shifts to reveal Craig next to her. He offers something banal and stupid—and it only gets worse from there.
(5/16/2025)
