Movie Review: Friendship

3.5 stars out of 5

I don’t know who Andrew DeYoung is. Andrew Young, I know. Former mayor of Atlanta and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Still with us: 93 years old!

Andrew DeYoung, I don’t know. (Singer of Styx?) But he wrote and directed Friendship, it’s his first feature after a lot of TV directing, and this comedy was almost excellent. It’s certainly different, so credit for that. But DeYoung can’t quite put the pieces together.

The real draw — and one of the problems, I think — is Tim Robinson. If you love I Think You Should Leave and The Detroiters like I do, you will very much enjoy this movie. Robinson is Robinson — the sad sack, quick to anger, outcast at the office, dumb guy. He is extremely funny in this. But maybe if he was reined in a little more, and the world around him was played straight, this could have been a really special little film. As it stands, I don’t think it’s certain if it wants to be a zany comedy or a true-to-life one.

Paul Rudd is very good as well but also pulls things in the zany direction. (DeYoung may have watched Anchorman one too many times.) Kate Mara as Tim’s wife seems to be in the realistic comedy; her renewed “friendship” with her ex is a solid running bit.

Comedy aficionados will pick out Jon Glaser among Rudd’s pals (DeYoung worked on Glaser’s Gear show) and Robinson associate Conner O’Malley being silly. Also spotted: teacher Rick from English Teacher, and my buddy Daniel London (Old Joy, TV’s Minority Report, TV’s Manhattan) as one of Robinson’s coworkers.

If you haven’t seen the trailer: TV weatherman Rudd moves into Mr. Robinson’s neighborhood. They hang out and it opens up a whole new world for schlubby Tim. But just like that, Rudd withdraws the friendship, which sends Robinson spiraling.

And for some reason, Robinson and Mara’s house is for sale.

If you love Tim Robinson, go see this movie. If you’re unsure, wait for streaming. And what I’d really like is for Robinson to write his own movie. Sam Richardson can help. And DeYoung, whoever you are, I’ll give you another shot at directing.