I Love You, Man

Film (with rating): I Love You, Man (R)

Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Summary: A lovable, yet awkward, groom-to-be Peter (Paul Rudd) discovers he has no one to serve as his best man and embarks on a search to find one. That's when he meets his polar opposite (Jason Segal) and somehow, they click. Hysterically.

Review: Who cares about romantic comedies? It's all about the bromantic comedies now, my friends! "I Love You, Man" is just the ticket. Director John Hamburg could have easily made this flick into nothing more than one giant fart-and-genital joke, but instead, he created a funny, smart, slightly touching comedy. With a few fart and genital jokes thrown in for good measure. It's an ideal balance of endearing and naughty, never tipping over to one side.  Rudd, as he was in "Knocked Up," is brilliant. He plays metrosexual, girls'-best-friend Peter perfectly without being irritating or unbelievable.

Yet it's Segal who steals the show. I love him in the television series "How I Met Your Mother," and laughed myself tearful watching him in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." His comedic timing mixed with his physical comedy skills once again light up the screen. Segal's ability to deliver deadpan one-liners is classic. He may not be the sensitive guy in this film as he has been in others, but Segal still comes through without a hitch. If you find yourself getting a bit bored by the slightly slow buildup of "Love," hang in there. Once Segal hits the screen, there's no turning back, and it's well worth the wait. The chemistry between Segal and Rudd, mixed with their individual characters and acting styles, makes this movie work big time.

Extra highlight: The gag reel, of course.

What to serve for dinner: Honor Peter here with a nice bottle of wine and a summer salad, such as a dill veggie tuna salad (allrecipes.com).

1/2 cup small pasta shells, uncooked
1 (6 ounce) can water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 tablespoons ranch dressing
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, about 13 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink, and chill by rinsing with cold water. Combine the cooled pasta, tuna, tomato, cucumber, red bell pepper, green onions, and celery in a salad bowl, and toss lightly to mix. Stir in the ranch dressing and dill, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least one hour.

What to talk about over dinner: Who do women prefer, the guy with girl friends, or the guy with girlfriends? Do nice guys finish last? If you're a guy, do you have guy friends? What would you do to find a friend? Have you ever had a bromance? Is it OK for women to have close friends, but not men? What was your most romantic evening?  What do you think of "Chocolat?" Do you have friends who are your polar opposites? What makes the friendship work? What is your favorite "How I Met Your Mother" episode? "Slapsgiving" anyone?