How To Lose Friends And Alienate People

What’s It About?
Simon Pegg, a nasty English writer, gets a job at a high-end celebrity magazine. His dreams include writing biting articles, dating supermodels and getting access to the fancy parties.

The reality is that none of his articles are accepted, due to celebrity pandering; he scares or insults all the women he comes into contact with; and he gets access to the fancy parties. Well, at least he got that bit right.

My Thoughts Going In…
I had a vague knowledge of this a while back, and thought it seemed like a good idea. Also, Simon Pegg tends to be a sign of quality.

However, the trailer made me think twice. It was filled with lame slapstick, including a whole set-piece which may just be the oldest joke in the comedy film book: the bumbling protagonist accidentally killing someone important's pet. Oh dear.

But with Death Race and Taken vetoed by Emma*, this was the only vaguely tolerable choice left.

Looks Like…
The visuals were adequate but didn't push any boundaries. This is a comedy, so it just looks okay.

There was also a vague feeling that I've seen all the locations before. The office looked like a magazine office from any other film. The bar looked like the same bars we've seen time and again. The garden party was a cliché: a way to make everything look grander.

Sounds Like…
The music was good here, with some classics and rather likeable covers. There is often a case that the film seems like a commercial for the soundtrack, but not here. Instead, it duetted nicely with the story.

Feels Like…
The trailer didn't do this film justice in the slightest.

What I watched wasn't a lame 'seen-it-before', slapstick comedy about a Brit overseas. It was a touching, charming film about sticking to your values.

So, in turn, the film didn't do the book any justice.

The original book of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was a memoir about life at a gossip magazine. That much the film got. But the book's author, the star, is a nasty piece of work. He's insulting, vain and prone to put his foot in his mouth.

Simon Pegg, on the other hand, is rude, but in a charming, Mr Bean way. He is vain, but he's really sticking up for real values. Any time his foot enters his mouth vicinity, it is only out of good intentions.

I haven't read the book, so have no idea how it ends. However, I'm willing to bet my bank balance that it didn't end in the neat Hollywood way that the film does.

However, it is a fool's game to compare book to film. They have to make differences. What the film lost was its bite. What it gained was heart.

Simon Pegg plays the main role perfectly. He remains blunt, but likeable. He reveals his vulnerability slowly too, so we feel for him when he falls. Oh, and he falls big.

Jeff Bridges brings presence, Kirsten Dunst brings a down-to-earth charm, and Megan Fox brings her breasts. The cast are all on top of their game, seeming to have fun with the film.

For a film revolving around celebrities, there were no cameos, which was nice. It could have quite easily nodded and winked itself to comedy death with too much self-referencial humour.

The script contains a good number of one-liners worth adding to your favourite quotes on Facebook, and when the film veers into predictable territory, the writer keeps it seeming fresh and fun.

But, it isn't perfect. There are no good belly-laughs, instead it is happy to keep a healthy chuckle. You can see the story's path from the first step. And there wasn't enough Jeff Bridges.

It just falls short of having punch, a real feeling that you can take with you and treasure and play with and discuss. It'll be forgotten tomorrow. But, whilst it lasts, it'll keep you smiling.

Verdict…
A fun effort, with a bouncy script and an on-form cast. Not going to set the world alight, but worth a trip to the cinema for.







*She actually said "I don't mind, you decide". Of course, any sensible person will see through this clever ruse and realise that it really means "You choose, but if I don't enjoy it then expect me to be grumpy with you and possibly withdraw 'nudity privilages' for a month".