How to make people laugh

I like to pride myself on my dislike of romantic comedies. However, Robert Weide, the director of many “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episodes, knows good comedy, even if it is the romantic kind.

Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) is working for an irreverent British tabloid when he gets an employment offer from Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges), the editor of Sharps, a mainstream American entertainment magazine. Sidney thinks he’s been brought in to shock the by-the-book stateside publication, but quickly learns he may have to shed his edgy ways to succeed in the world of stuck-up celebrities and glorified paparazzi. 

The awkward humor of “How to Lose Friends” is used to take jabs at the Hollywood elite and the “journalists” who slobber all over them. As someone who wants to make a living in entertainment journalism, I found it a satisfyingly accurate look at what sometimes goes on in all areas of journalism.

Also, the point made here is the best I’ve been left with in a while. It’s trite but true – don’t give up your individuality for money, fame or love. Sidney and the co-worker he pines after, Alison (Kirsten Dunst), learn this the hard way as they set their ideals aside for the glitzy Sharps and the tools who work there. 

Though I did like this movie, the storyline was a bit formulaic – guy likes girl, girl’s dating asshole, guy ineptly tries to win girl’s love.

It’s hard to see a romantic story that doesn’t involve a female protagonist who’s blindly in love with some condescending egomaniac until someone makes her “see the light.” And at some point, I’d like to see Simon Pegg not cast as a buffoon who fumbles his way into learning an important life lesson.

This movie also has barbs for the film snob who thinks something like a romantic comedy is beneath him. That person will definitely miss out by shunning “How to Lose Friends.”