BuzzSugar

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People: Not Alienating, Just Not That Funny

BuzzSugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:00:53 -0700

It’s hard to care too much about someone as obnoxious as Sidney Young, the main character of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, played by Simon Pegg. Having a main character as unlikable as Sidney is one of the key things that doesn't work in it. There are some things that do work - a few funny bits, some great comedic performances - but they don't quite make up for the experience of watching the movie as a whole, which ends up being just kinda "meh."

The character of Sidney Young is based on the real Toby Young, who wrote the memoir on which this movie is based. In the film, Sidney is a cynical British writer who is obsessed with the notion of celebrity while simultaneously finding it ridiculous. He puts out a magazine in England called Post Modern Review, full of snarky pieces about famous people. Amused by this, Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges), editor of Sharps magazine in New York offers Sidney a job and the bumbling, uncouth Sidney sets off for glamorous New York. Once at Sharps, however, Sidney discovers that he's expected to write only "safe" celebrity profiles, and that his sarcasm and brutal honesty are unacceptable. Thus, Sidney struggles to succeed at Sharps - as a writer, but also as a boorish guy in a glamorous magazine world - without relinquishing his identity altogether. Of course, there's a love story tossed in, too, so for more on that and everything else, read more.

At Sharps, Sidney meets Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst), a droll aspiring novelist who has no problem calling Sidney out on his impertinence. They often engage in that sarcastic banter that is actually flirtatious, but Sidney's not interested in Alison because he's too busy drooling over the beautiful young starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox). This storyline is so obvious and predictable, I was certain it would surprise me in the end but alas, there's not a ton of surprise at the end of this movie in general.

I really like Simon Pegg, and his uniquely awesome comedic abilities sometimes save the day here, especially in the beginning when it's funny to watch someone so socially inept act inappropriately at all times. It can be refreshing to see Sidney call out the pretentious charade of American celebrity, but we don't really root for him to succeed because he's kind of a jackass. And then, when he starts to really try to succeed, we certainly don't want him to do so by selling out and writing the crap that Clayton insists he write. But then everything you could have predicted (but didn't truly want to have happen) happens - including the incredibly generic rom-com stuff - and it's a total disappointment. Like the pitiful kid at the party, the colorful balloon of the movie deflates, and we’re left disappointed and sleepy. But then again, after a nap we'll probably forget the entire thing ever happened.

Photos courtesy of MGM

The Official Trailer: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:35:34 -0700

"Based on the true story of a real idiot."

The teaser for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was kinda "meh" and the international trailer was downright odd. Now we have the "official" trailer for us Americans who are curious about this movie starring Simon Pegg, Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, and Kirsten Dunst, and I have to say it is definitely an improvement. I didn't necessarily laugh at any of the moments that are supposed to be funny, but at least I can figure out what to expect from this film.

Based on the true-life story of author Toby Young, the movie looks a touch forced. Still, I adore Simon Pegg (who I recently got to interview - stay tuned for that!) and want to keep an open mind until it opens October 3.

To check out the trailer, read more.

Source

How to Lose Friends Trailer Arrives as Author Disses SATC

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:30:12 -0700

Just as author Toby Young has finished giving us his "man's take" on the Sex and the City movie - a bitter little piece in which Young calls the SATC New York a "pre-feminist society" where "[w]omen are second-class citizens who are expected to use their youth and beauty as commodities in order to secure their economic wellbeing" by marrying rich men - the international trailer has hit the Web for the film version of Young's memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

Clearly, Young loves to do just that - provoke and provoke until, yes, he alienates people. It's not so much that I disagree wholeheartedly with his assessment of the SATC world, but I do take issue with his claim that "the notion that girls like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda will always be there for each other, no matter what the cost - is a sentimental myth." Is he a woman? Does he have any true insight into female relationships, among "golddigging" New Yorkers or otherwise? No.

Anyway, the international trailer for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People looks no better than the teaser trailer did, and as much as I love Simon Pegg, I just don't feel all that inclined to watch this film about a writer who unwittingly finds himself caught up within a world of glamour and celebrity. Especially since, from the movie's description it sounds like this main character, Sidney Young (Simon Pegg, playing Toby Young's "character") fancies himself above, well, everyone else in the world. What's enjoyable about watching someone like that?

To see the trailer - warning: there is one moment of NSFW language - read more.

Source

First Look: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:31:09 -0800

While I love pretty much anything Simon Pegg does or says, and I seriously cannot wait for the Spring US release of Run, Fat Boy, Run, the teaser trailer for his next comedy How to Lose Friends and Alienate People leaves much to be desired. Based on Toby Young's 2003 memoir, the movie's plot description is this:

Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame, and glamour. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media-obsessed stars and bucks trends, so when Young is offered a job at the conservative, New York-based Sharps magazine, it's something of a shock! Thus begins Sidney's descent into success - his gradual move from derided outsider to confidante of starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox) - and a love affair with colleague Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst) that will either make him or break him.

I look forward to a full trailer for the movie since this little 45-second one is pretty unsatisfying. To see the trailer for yourself and share your thoughts, read more

Source