You won't find Judd Apatow (the man who single-handed revitalised the tired American comedy genre by making geek the new cool with films like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin) in the credits for I Love You, Man, but his spirit permeates every scene and line of dialogue. It seems obvious that director John Hamburg not only did a Masters in "Sciences Of Apatow", but that he graduated with honours.

The plot revolves around Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), a successful and charismatic real estate agent recently engaged to his beloved girlfriend, Zooey (Rashida Jones). Klaven appears to have everything going for him: an incredibly hot, smart and understanding fiance; money; a loving family; and the opportunity to advance his career by selling actor Lou "The Incredible Hulk" Ferrigno's mansion (did anyone order pop culture references for dressing?) The only thing missing in Klaven's perfect life is.a male friend! Namely, someone on whom to inflict the highly-overrated role of best man. Let the man-dating begin - or as Klaven's gay brother, Robbie (Andy Samberg), would say, "Casual lunch or after-work drinks.you're not taking these boys to see The Devil Wears Prada". After many failed attempts to secure a buddy before the wedding, Klaven finally meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel).and the dude is a keeper!

Hamburg (Along Came Polly) cleverly borrows the most cliched and vomiting-inducing scenes from your typical Hollywood romantic comedy and turns them upside down with hilarious results. This is not a movie about a guy trying to find the love of his life, but rather about a bloke in search of someone with whom to happily, and shamelessly, make an arse of himself while playing air guitar at a Rush concert. I Love You, Man evidences just how ridiculous, incongruent and utterly indispensable male bonding really is.