Programme Notes Friendship

For those familiar with Tim Robinson and his particular style of comedy, you would be forgiven for thinking that director Andrew DeYoung’s first feature film Friendship, would be merely an extension of Robinson’s surreal sketch show I Think You Should Leave. However, while there are elements and a vibe around this film that will inevitably lead to comparisons between the two, it does feel like a bit of a lazy take. Whether or not DeYoung meant it, Friendship manages to present an achingly relatable portrayal of loneliness and desire for connection that we have all felt at some point, even if it is concealed under a layer of chaotic energy that only few actors such as Robinson can bring to the table.  

When we first meet Craig (Robinson), it’s clear that he is a man that hasn’t figured out how to do life yet, outside of what has been traditionally fed to him through years of stereotypical male activities. All he asks is that you don’t spoil the latest Marvel movie for him (apparently the new one is nuts!). He only shops from one clothing store as they are the only clothes that fit him just right and the signature beige jacket that he sports throughout serves as a perfect representation of everything you need to know about him. Often, he is seen engulfed in this big, puffy coat that swallows him up to the neck, acting as a turtle shell that insulates him from the world. From the off it is obvious that Craig finds any deviation from his monotonous schedule just plain confusing. He is oblivious to the fact that his wife is going through the motions and having an emotional affair with her hunk of an ex-boyfriend. The only form of intimacy that happens under their roof weirdly exists between his wife and son which produces one of many hilarious Robinson lines when he asks, ‘You guys kiss each other on the lips?’

In stark contrast Austin (Paul Rudd), is everything that Craig is not. He is confident, plays in a band, has a cool job and has a large friend group. Instead of nondescript clothing, his wardrobe is colourful, and he has a sweet moustache/soul patch combo that is by no means easy to pull off. Unlike Craig, Austin seems to just have everything figured out and comes across as almost too comfortable in his own skin. 

These two characters certainly feel like they are amplified examples from each end of the spectrum, but it is somewhere in between that will resonate with many. We have all met an Austin in our time and felt the flush of infatuation with someone who you perceive to be cool, and it isn’t unfamiliar to feel the urge to clamour for their attention. Seeing Craig’s eyes light up as Austin awakens something from deep within him is a highly effective representation of how these encounters in our life have made us feel. 

Men traditionally have been conditioned to mask and push down their wants and desires and told that vulnerability is a weakness. Of course, times are changing, and this isn’t an all-encompassing view of how men are but there is no doubt that this ideology still exists within our culture. While it might be fanciful to think that a film like Friendship will impact or change that mindset, it’s just nice to get a reminder that it’s not weird to get excited about new relationships and enjoy the company of other guys. 

As the story progresses and Austin sours on his relationship with Craig, it is an odd feeling to take pity on Craig and feel sorry for him, especially when he begins to unravel and spiral out of control in a bid to get back to drinking beers on the roof with his BFF again. But therein lies the beauty of Friendship, despite all the madness and terrible choices Craig makes, as a human you can identify with his plight in some way and know how upsetting it is to have something that that made you feel special get taken away and discarded so easily.  

While there are several lines that will go on and become instantly quotable amongst fans, it also has its fair share of devastating ones and particularly when Craig is trying to make sense of Austin’s polite but heartbreaking rejection:

‘You all accepted me way too fast. You can’t do that. You made me feel too free. People need rules.’

Akin to Lisa Simpson telling Ralph Wiggum that she never liked him in The Simpsons, Robinson manages to show the exact moment that his heart rips in two with this line and really helps propel the film along as it cranks up the dark and uncomfortable nature of Craig’s pursuit to regain what he has lost. 

While Craig gets bogged down a little bit with the idea that everything needs to follow the rules, he isn’t wrong for feeling this way. Societal rules are a thing we all deal with and while he got a bit overzealous when trying to win over Austin and his friends, the reaction from Austin’s friends was cruel. Craig isn’t a bad guy. A little awkward and strange but when you scratch the surface there is loyalty there as evidenced when he gives Austin advice about chasing that promotion at work. Or causing a diversion to protect him from being exposed as a toupee wearer. While he maybe isn’t the right fit for that friend group, it’s clear that there is a kindness to him and I think Austin’s sly wink to Craig before the credits roll shows that he knows that. 

Another aspect that is striking about the film is how aesthetically beautiful, yet haunting, Friendship is. Andrew DeYoung has said that the work of Paul Thomas Anderson was a considerable influence on him, and particularly The Master (2012) helped shape his vision for how he wanted this film to present itself. Watching the film, you cannot help but notice how unconventional it looks compared to most comedies that are released nowadays and in doing so it allows for the viewing experience to be elevated to a point where not only do the jokes linger in your brain, but the imagery does as well. 

Without a doubt, Friendship is sure to be polarizing amongst non-Tim Robinson fans and those who are expecting a Paul Rudd, I Love You, Man style comedy. Instead, it feels like the absurd and wackier cousin of The Cable Guy (1996) and could easily be renamed ‘The Banshees of Unhinged-isherin'. But amidst the off-kilter comedy there is a sadness that reminds us to be kinder to ourselves and accept that sometimes things don’t always work out as we hope. We are all out here just trying to do our best and we shouldn’t lose sight of who we are as people regardless of what others think. Oh, and never break into someone else’s house and steal their gun. Never do that. 

Chris Kumar
Film Programmer
July 2025

Article referencing The Master influence:

https://deadline.com/2024/09/tim-robinson-paul-rudd-andrew-deyoung-friendship-comedy-interview-1236080171/