The concept of buddies serving as relationship consultants goes waaay back. The more recent examples are, "The Forty Year Old Virgin," "I Love You, Man," "Knocked Up," and "The Hangover." Are you getting a glimmer? Yup....Raunch!
In this latest iteration, I found myself sorry about the raunch because the two lead characters are decent, thoughtful, worthwhile people who earn their happy ending. Plus, the movie has a laudable theme: It's all about self esteem (note the title).
Jay Baruchel ("Tropic Thunder") plays a gawky TSA employee who is polite, considerate and totally humiliated by his selfish ex-girlfriend. Jay's three friends are unanimous that he shouldn't demean himself trying to win her back, but he is willing to overlook her obvious character flaws. She's the only gal he's ever loved and besides, his parents love her too... they even love her NEW boyfriend!
Alice Eve ("Crossing Over"), who bears a spooky resemblance to Tiger Woods' wife Elin, portrays a traveler for whom our hero intercedes when his airport coworkers want to do a pat-down search, simply because she is beautiful and they want to get their hands on her. She can see that he is a gentleman. One thing leads to another and...you know...
There are plenty of obstacles they must overcome but we root for them all the way. No sweaty bodies, no blowie uppie stuff, and given his old rattletrap, there are certainly no car chases. There are lots of laughs, but oh! The RAUNCH from those buddies! This will hit the target audience (18- to 24-year-old guys) right in the funny bone.
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