Friendship (2024, Andrew DeYoung) has this understated intensity that wonderfully adorns the diegesis with enough stuff beyond Tim Robinson’s schtick that it avoids becoming dull or too predictable. It’s maybe heightened comedy. I almost wanna use the term surreal, but I don’t like throwing that around too easily.
It works as a comedy built around a comedian. And that’s what links it to the earliest of Hollywood’s most effective genres. But instead of merely being a Tim Robinson vehicle, Friendship can be looked at as this psychological cautionary farce about a man whose family life and career are close to perfect, but nevertheless allows his fatal flaw to get the best of him. It’s interesting to ask yourself what is this flaw of his? Do you think he’s a nut?
I kind of identify with Robinson’s character. To those who would say he’s got stress management issues I would say who doesn’t? His stress levels are cathartic so ours don’t have to be. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that what made Friendship work so much better than I expected it to for me is the overall tone; slightly subverting what you’d expect in original, oddly creatively satisfying ways. Pay attention to everything that happens at the phone store. Or his son’s birthday.
And more than anything this thing stayed with me long after watching. It reminded me of 50s Buñuel. Except Friendship, again, isn’t surreal. None of the scenes are fantasy. Or unreliable narrator illusions. Those are cop-outs. Okay, maybe there’s one. At the end. With the guys in the garage. Only more of a reason to commend the restraint and impressive blend of serious storytelling with escalating uncomfortable humor.
5/16/25 AMC Phipps Plaza 14
Atlanta, GA
It works as a comedy built around a comedian. And that’s what links it to the earliest of Hollywood’s most effective genres. But instead of merely being a Tim Robinson vehicle, Friendship can be looked at as this psychological cautionary farce about a man whose family life and career are close to perfect, but nevertheless allows his fatal flaw to get the best of him. It’s interesting to ask yourself what is this flaw of his? Do you think he’s a nut?
5/16/25 AMC Phipps Plaza 14
Atlanta, GA