‘Friendship’: Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Come Together With Masterful Cringe

Alci Rengifo

Craig Waterman is the kind of character you feel for and yet wouldn’t want to have around. As played by Tim Robinson in “Friendship,” he’s a keen portrait of a literal outsider unaware he may be a ticking time bomb. Andrew DeYoung’s feature directorial debut envelops like the best kind of toxic story you can’t turn your eyes away from. Instead of going the typical route of using this familiar story device for violent thrills, what DeYoung has made is a surreal character study. Fittingly, there is no real victim in the story, but more of an intertwining of narcissists and sheer human stupidity. The writing works because even in its trippier moments, you realize you have met people like this before, or recognize just a little of yourself in the two protagonists.

Craig (Robinson) defines American suburbia. He has a nice home, works at a public relations firm, is married to florist Tami (Kate Mara) and has a teenage son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Some odder details emerge. Steven is quite close to mom but cold towards dad. Tami, whose cancer has just gone into remission, seems to feign happiness and openly announces she’s going to have dinner with her ex-boyfriend. At couple’s counseling she admits in front of Craig to miss having an actual orgasm. In the office Craig doesn’t seem to have any real social relationships or friends. A mistakenly delivered package then introduces Craig to a new neighbor, Austin (Paul Rudd). Friendly, self-assured and a TV weatherman, Austin represents everything Craig isn’t. They go on micro adventures such as hunting for wild mushrooms or sneaking into city hall through sewer tunnels. Austin even plays guitar and sings in a “punk” band. Craig is caught in the euphoria of acceptance when a hang out suddenly goes wrong and Austin tries to cut the cord.

DeYoung also wrote the screenplay and is attuned to the way things can go wrong or a mood can get ruined by the most absurd developments. Neither Austin nor Craig necessarily do anything wrong to initiate their drama, it’s more a tragedy of circumstance. Robinson, famous for the sketch comedy series “I Think You Should Leave,” is great as a dense, out of touch lone wolf. He doesn’t share any of Austin’s interests and can’t even discuss rock music. He’s just a man desperate for attention or validation, deep down seeing himself as lesser than the “in” crowd. The trigger for dooming their friendship is a hilariously odd evening where Austin’s buddies/bandmates, all middle-aged, sit around a garage talking about the sort of mundane material that can seem surreal in a movie. A dad worries about his 13-year-old daughter’s breast size and how men are starting to look at her. A sing-along then turns into an absurdly believable attempt at boxing where Craig finally snaps just a little before pleading for forgiveness, by eating a bar of soap. Austin doesn’t really hate him, just pities this guy who reveals his disturbing side.

This could have easily gone very dark like “The Gift” or slapstick like “The Cable Guy.” DeYoung and cinematographer Andy Rydzewski design “Friendship” like a richer, truly arthouse piece (this is an A24 production after all) with a dreamy tone. Craig’s disorientation in picturesque suburbia can be elegant and deranged. Deeper in the subtext of the story is something quite relatable, which is that most of us have found ourselves yearning to fit in somewhere. Craig doesn’t realize he tends to make everything about himself, clearly ignoring Tami’s needs. When he does try he just makes it worse because his desperation overtakes any clear thinking. He starts listening to Slipknot’s “Wait and Bleed” because of Austin. Such a quirk does bring him closer to Steven, but when he tries to take Tami on an “adventure,” the result is nearly disastrous. Equally sad is how he tries to get over Austin by inviting his co-workers on a “guys night out.” It immediately starts spiraling downwards after he demands no one spoil the new Marvel movie. 

Robinson and Rudd are perfectly paired and in many offbeat ways their characters’ orbit makes sense. Austin enjoys feeling like someone’s life teacher until his own life gets messier after he’s promoted to daytime news. Rudd gives his character a good balance of vanity and genuine friendliness. Austin’s key mistake is speedily letting Craig get very close and later believing it’s easy to just end it. Robinson doesn’t make Craig into a cliché pushover. The guy has a temper and can snap at anyone, but losing his buddy just makes him much more volatile. DeYoung expertly creates the sensation of an increasing nightmare that conjures that mood we get when everything seems to go wrong. The wrong people start becoming friends. Everyone sympathizes with Tami and dismisses Craig. His co-workers see him as a joke. Our habits, wiring and personalities are nearly impossible to change and Craig is entrapped in a way of being that puts landmines all through his life.

“Friendship” ends on a smart, rather haunting yet funny note. You don’t walk out of the theater with the feeling of justice served. It is more of a deep sigh or shaking of the head, like when you receive a wild update on an oddball from the past. There are some great fantasy moments early in this film as when Craig stands in awe at a bar, watching Austin perform with his band, imagining himself on the drums. We have all probably had such a moment. Craig is the kind of person who then runs out and actually buys the drums, certain his fantasy will become reality. “Friendship” doesn’t need screenwriting lab plot twists. It is driven by the sincerity and dark comedy of its performances, which bring to life a duo that should not be and for that reason become addictively watchable on their own. 

“Friendship” releases May 9 in New York and Los Angeles and expands May 23 in theaters nationwide.