Film of the week

How to lose friends and alienate people (2008)

My film of the week is How to lose friends and alienate people, a comedy staring Simon Pegg (Shawn of the dead) and Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Iron Man).

Simon Pegg stars as Sidney Young in this British comedy where he runs a small time magazine that takes a shot at celebrities (There's even a cameo from James Corden). He stereotypes the British Media as negative and is always getting kicked out of parties in an attempt to get close to the celebs. He'll even disguise himself as a waiter to get past security. 

One of his stunts backfires when he is thrown out of a celebrity bash by Clint Eastwood of all people, with his picture making it into the newspapers the following day and causing a media frenzy. Impressed by his enthusiasm and questionable behaviour, he gets a call from Sharpe's magazine, a highly rated and popular magazine about celebrities based in New York City. He is offered a job to work for one of the most successful magazine editors in Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges). Clayton was initially interested in Sidney because his small magazine reminded him of his younger self, and the way in which he himself used to bash the celebrities.

Jeff Bridges is great as Sydney's boss and isn't sold on his sense of humour in the beginning.

The culture clash of British and American sense of humour is funny to watch unfold, and this film has lots of funny moments.

Megan Fox stars as upcoming celebrity Sophie Maes who's trying to make it in Hollywood, she is featured in Sharpe's magazine too. This film was her first big role before she was in Transformers.

The film has a great cast and also includes Gillian Anderson, Danny Houston and Miriam Margoyles. I really like the cast and everyone feels right for their part, even the annoying Vincent La Pac. This guy is supposed to be an arrogant film maker, wearing his shades inside very Tarantino like. This guy felt like he was written to be hated. 

Over time we come to side with Sidney despite him starting off rather unlikeable. His character development throughout the film is great as is his interaction with the others. The film has a plethora of talent so look out throughout to see who you can spot.

 

How to lose friends and alienate people has a fantastic soundtrack, including  The Killers and Robyn. It really suits the theme of the film and I've found myself listening to the soundtrack on Spotify many times.

This is a fantastic comedy film that blends romance with a great story. It's great to see the development of Sidney as he settles in to life in America, and there's plenty of surprises along the way to keep you entertained. It's by no means Simon Pegg's best film but it's fun, and honestly not many people could pull off a character such as Sidney Young but he nails it as always.

8/10