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Visitors Review

akingy90 2012-05-25 08:23:50

Good film...

Based upon British writer Toby Young's 2001 memoir of the same name,'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People' follows the rise of SidneyYoung (Simon Pegg) from working at a radical left-wing publication inEngland to a large magazine (Sharps) in New York City.I quite enjoyed this film. It did indeed have some laugh-out-loudmoments, as well as a number of cringe-worthy ones. Personal highlightsincluded Alison's (Kirsten Dunst) drunken antics and the scene with thenaughty pig.However, I'm sorry to say that I had a huge problem with the characterof Sidney Young. I couldn't help seeing him as a sell-out. It seemedthat one minute he was sneering at the low-calibre celebrities fawnedover by Sharps magazine, and the next, he was literally begging towrite a piece on one of them: a young director that he despised. In myopinion, the transformation happened too quickly.In terms of acting, Kirsten Dunst's performance impressed me the most,quickly followed by Simon Pegg and the class act that is Jeff Bridges.

2012-05-24 20:19:37

Awesome Movie

Most of these people are complaining about the lack of extras. Extras, in the end, should be viewed as extras, and not something to weigh in when you buy the DVD. The movie itself is awesome, and that should be enough.

PigScarer 2012-05-20 13:28:22

Plodding and predictable

Got to say, I've been a fan of Simon Pegg since Big Train and stickinghim with the director of Curb Your Enthusiasm seemed like a recipe forsomething special. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a great dealof special in this film. It reminds me of a Norman Wisdom movieplot-wise (the loser 'hero', the girl who is obviously right for himand the girl he wants who isn't) and does nothing to surprise. Themovie plays far too much to type - ooh, look, a skyscraper, anotherleggy blonde - and it either fudges its hand or overplays it.References to off-screen talent (eg Orlando) could have been comedicbut seem cheap. The cliché'd establishing shots of New York andHollywood - are we meant to be sharing Sydney's excitement? Or justwatching stock footage from any TV movie? The tone seemed uncertain,Sydney's journey unconvincing and the heart of the movie just didn'tseem to be there. Kirsten Dunst didn't really come alive (except in thedrunk scene) and I found Simon Pegg hard to take in that role - heneeded to be nastier for the journey to convince. Danny Huston,although playing a barely 2-dimensional character, was suitablyreptilian, Jeff Bridges brought reliable gravitas (and hair) andGillian Anderson was, I thought, totally convincing in her role. Thehighlight was the fake movie trailer, bringing the one big guffaw ofthe movie (so much so it's used twice). A movie like this needs to havethe courage to be something other than formulaic - if you cast quirkytalent, back it up with quirky plotting, quirky script, quirkydirection. Everyone involved could do better...

Jim Chudnow 2012-05-20 08:50:37

"HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE" -- It's EASY to do in this film!

(Based on an advance preview:) The title "says it all" as it tells thestory of a British writer named Sidney (SIMON PEGG) who's brought towork at the NYC office of an often "politically-correct" magazine byits once-rebellious editor (JEFF BRIDGES). Sidney is a rude, crude &lewd dude whose slovenly, excessive & blundering ways soon alienatemany of those around him, including his boss Alison (KIRSTEN DUNST,who's quite breezy and enjoyable in the role). Sidney tends to shiftbetween being a very moralistic & straightforward writer to being abutt-kissing hack flack, and then back again. PEGG does a good job inhis often-off-putting role, & Bridges is appropriately bemused much ofthe time. But, while there are a number of mild laughs, overall, Ifound the film pretty WEAK. It's not bad in any particular way, but Ifeel it could've been far better if it more clearly went towardswhatever it was trying to get across or highlight (either the humor orthe efforts towards honest reporting & commentaries).

nama chakravorty 2012-05-14 19:33:52

Don't miss this one!

'How To Lose Friends & Alienate People' is a superb film. A hilariousfilm from start to end. A lovely entertainer. Enjoyed it. Performances: Jason is fantastic. He's a treat to watch him from startto end. Jeff Bridges is excellent as the boss. He's a Legend. Megan Foxlooks amazingly hot, and delivers a good performance. Anderson isdelightful. She doesn't look old at all, still hot indeed. KristanDunst looks lovely and does a pretty good job. Others are also prettygood.'How To Lose Friends & Alienate People' is a excellent entertainer.Don't miss this flick!

gregdeinlein 2012-05-14 02:19:50

Very poor acting

unfortunately Megan fox here is exposed in a role where James Cameroncannot put explosions and excessive action into the movie to cover upMegan fox's lack of acting talent, although Jeff bridges' performancekind of cancels that out in the fact that he is brilliant. Simon peggwas a disappointment as he has started a trend in making bad movies.the fact of the matter is that the movie could have been much better ifMegan fox and Simon pegg had been replaced with good actors. thewriting was kind of witty and humorous and i happen to hate movies thatare comedies but take a sentimental turn at the end. i guess they arejust not my thing.

LRS 2012-05-13 01:12:46

You are better off not seeing it.

If you have read the book - do not set your hopes high, if you have not- go read it, and never watch the film. It is strange to learn thatToby Young was actually involved a lot in the writing of the script (ashe claims himself in the post script of the book). Because the film isvery different from the book.What the film seems to be aiming at - taking a rather thought provokingand entertaining piece that combines philosophical ideas with plainfunny sarcasm and simplifying it so that everyone would understand it -it achieves with perfection. The film is full of bad and cheap jokessuitable for a sitcoms, and has lost any meaningful message that itcould have had.You are better off not seeing it.

aimless-46 2012-05-12 15:38:47

Warning - Requires Viewers With Active Brain Cells

"How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" (2008) is a clever combinationof "The Loved One" (1965) and "Enchanted" (2007). A "stranger in astrange land" comedy, full of self-reflexive moments of mostly subtleparody, which obviously a lot of viewers don't get. It's targetaudience is identical to that of "The Loved Ones", a tiny cultfollowing which should have told the producers that going down thisroad in a relatively high budget manner would be a bad ideacommercially. Bad because the "R" rating necessary for its more bitingmoments of satire would disqualify it as mainstream familyentertainment; which otherwise would have been the best choice for asecondary target audience who would buy into the film as a simpleromantic comedy.The film is based on Toby Young, a British Hunter Thompson, who for ashort but memorable time came across the pond and wrote disastrouslyfor Vanity Fair Magazine; in much the same manner as his film namesakeSidney Young (Simon Pegg).It is probably the best-directed film in the last 10 years, withperfect casting and excellent acting for the camera direction. RobertWeide really nails it in his first feature. Pegg's bits of physicalcomedy and witty commentary need an audience and Kirsten Dunst wassimply meant to play the role of his reluctant mentor at the magazine.Dunst knows how to gently tease a role and is especially gifted atdeadpan non-verbal comedy. This dynamic is a good thing to payattention to because the real laughs come from the reaction shots ofAlison (Dunst's underplayed character) and you rarely see this sort ofthing done so well.Weide has Pegg play Sidney as if he was "Duckman" come to life, relyingon enough of Pegg's natural likability to come through and make anotherwise odious character sympathetic.And surprise, Megan Fox can act (at least sort of)! Here she dials downthe intelligence level of her stock villainess and channels a bit ofthe old Marilyn Monroe airhead quality. She is not just decorative butcontributes nicely to the film's self-reflexive parody. If you've seenthose stills of her playing Mother Teresa they are part of a hilarious"film-within-a-film" segment. And she channels Anita Ekberg in a parodyof Fellini's "La Dolce Vita's (1960) swimming in the fountain scene.The story is deliberately predictable, essentially taking the earthyguts of Sidney Young's memoirs and packaging them into a sappyself-reflexive Hollywood love story. But to really appreciate the film,viewers have to recognize that the formulaic construct is all in theservice of parody.The DVD includes two slick audio commentaries, which should beespecially useful for those struggling with the film's comedy style,and a short featurette full of cast interviews.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

2012-05-05 05:57:39

"...show them a film like this..."

It's hard to imagine a movie that tests your patience more than "How To Lose Friends & Alienate People" does. It's supposed to be a comedy, but you spend most of the time wincing instead of enjoying. My wife read Toby Jones' book and loved it - laughed a great deal - and even when he was being a complete prick, it was at least entertaining. But the film version falls flat on its face - time after time after time. And worse - it feels like it actually admires the shallow and cruel celebrity culture it's supposed to be pillorying. You left wondering why quality people like Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson and Kirsten Dunst are in this dog.Pegg doesn't help either. He's not handsome enough to keep women interested and too irritating for men to empathise with or admire. Had it been James McAvoy or Benjamin Chaplin in the lead role, it might have worked - they have the British charm and acting chops to pull off this kind of stunt. But worse are the alterations to Jones' story - the set pieces that were so funny in the book are radically changed to supposedly big up the humour, but they either don't work, strain all believability or you've seen them done before - but better. Mostly - the movie just isn't that funny. Times Square and Manhattan look beautiful on Blu Ray as our hapless hero passes them by in his big yellow taxi - as does Megan Fox in several skimpy outfits - but the film is so bad that any gain is quickly lost as you reach for the stop button and wished you'd bought/hired something else. A real shame that it hadn't the balls or conviction of the book - to tell it as it was/is - personal warts and all...One to avoid I'm afraid.

Danny Blankenship 2012-05-04 20:45:08

Slow moving and screw up comedy that blends sex appeal and learning life lessons in a crazy way!

This film "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" certainly isn't acomedy classic, yet it can be remembered for it's take of how crazy andodd the path of life can take for one individual. Simon Pegg stars asSidney Young a down on his luck British tabloid reporter who takes itupon himself to go to the big city life of America in New York city andmake it big as a celebrity gossip reporter for the very big magazinecompany owned by tough as nails tycoon Clayton Harding(Jeff Bridges).One by one he will make mishaps and mistakes as clearly this man is abig misfit and screw up! Some of his misfires come close to evencosting him his job! Friendship is made along the way with the cute anddown to earth Alison(Kirsten Dunst)though he also experiences a life ofthe glitz and fame when he brushes up off the sex appeal of a youngsexy actress Sophie(Megan Fox). And must I say Fox adds a vamp and sexyslink like cat performance as most of her scenes are very sexy. In theend it's a return to reality as Sidney finds that happiness is not tobe found in the real world of fame and glitz as he settles for fun withthe down to earth Alison! Overall nothing special still it's a comedythat proves that even misfits and screw ups can find their place inlife and be happy, and the film was blended well with laughs and sexappeal.

Andy 2012-05-03 16:48:41

Brit comedy with an American touch

I am a huge fan of Simon Pegg and have watched plenty of his moviesuntil now and none of them have ceased to make me laugh. Neither didHow to lose friends and Alienate People.This movie is essentially about a man good as pissing people off.However, he has an innate set of ethics that prevents him from doingthings that might just make him famous. But in the end he ends up doingthem, the culture of life.The movie is well toned with humor, romance, good acting and also a bitof a lap dance. Its one of those movies where you could just be happywhen it ends.

2012-05-03 03:42:34

REALLY ENTERTAINING FILM WITH SIMON PEGG

HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLEI am a huge Simon Pegg fan as most people probably are now days; come on all of his stuff has been great. I remember seeing the previews for this and thinking "all right here is his forte into mainstream movies". Now I knew that could go one of two ways, those of course being bad or good. Thankfully this while not his best film is really good and that is mainly because of Mr. Pegg himself. I know what you are saying "of course he is good in it" and I know that but I felt the need to say it, so get off my back.The film follows an off the wall writer named Sidney Young [Pegg] as he goes from wanting to be in the "it" crowd to actually being there. The thing about it though is that what got him to the dance just might be the one thing he has to give up in order to be successful. Writing for a small magazine that trashes the stars [or at least he does] over in the UK, he is offered a job in the US by his hero in the biz Clayton Harding [Jeff Bridges]. Once there the hero he looked up to is looking more and more like a sell out and after meeting Sophie Maes [Megan Fox] he just might do the same. The only real person at least in his eyes is Alison Olsen [Kirsten Dunst], so he tends to hang around her while wanting Sophie.This film based on a book by Toby Young is well handled under the direction of Robert Weide. The film is well paced even though it is a bit long which may be it's only down fall, the only one I guess. Written for the screen by Peter Straughan and acted out well by the entire cast this film is really entertaining. The film has laugh out loud moments but it is much more of a wittier humor or subtle type if that makes sense. Still I find the film to be very entertaining and found the cast to be real fun to watch.Simon Pegg is excellent as the lead in this film and it was cool to see him in this type of role, in fact he should do more of these. Kirsten Dunst is great as well in this film and gives one of the better performances. Jeff Bridges is great as usual and Megan Fox does a good job as well as does the rest of the cast. Like I said this is not the best film ever and is not even Pegg's best film, but it is still a very entertaining flick. I recommend this film to any one reading this if only a rental that is fine, I bought it.

2012-05-02 03:28:47

Happily Surprised!

I'm not going to lie, I had little to no confidence in this movie at all. The title alone makes me want to run away and never see it BUT Simon Pegg is in it and I do love him. This movie has exceeded my expectations, granted they weren't so high in the first place, but I was thoroughly entertained by this movie. I laughed about every minute, the jokes are subtle yet very funny if you catch them. This is an American movie but with Simon Pegg in it, there were bound to be some nice british humor which was refreshing. Many gags were unexpectedly hilarious which impressed me even more. I loved that the lead isn't some extraordinary hot guy and it's just a average, moronic Joe. Which then turns to the brilliance of Simon Pegg. He can play an obnoxious jerk but still show alot of heart and emotion in his character. Kirsten Dunst did very well too which was another pleasant surprise. Megan Fox was bland though I assume that is how her character should be. Jeff Bridges was aces, and Gillian Anderson....I must say I do miss watching her. She was phenomenally blunt as a hard-nosed publicist.The story is interesting enough, and well-paced. Again this movie is not Oscar-brilliant but it is better than what it is rated now and will definitely make you laugh. Watch!!

patrick powell 2012-05-01 20:56:01

An entertaining Brit romp with Hollywood production value.

There are several ways in which this film can be viewed. If, forexample, you live in Middle America, it's just another romcom, whichis, it has to be said, not quite as cliché-ridden as man anotherHollywood romcom, tho' not that out of the ordinary, either. But forthose of us who live in Britain, who have heard of Julie Birchill, TobyYoung and the Modern Review (and - sorry, Julie, but you bring thesethings upon yourself - Charlotte Raven) How To Lose … is rather more -and rather less - than yer actual Hollywood offering, Danny Huston,Kirsten Duntst, the gorgeous Megan Fox and Jeff Bridgesnotwithstanding. What is it: a film of the book, a book of the film,something in between, something quite other, or what. For the Americanaudience, of course, it simply doesn't matter. But despite theHollywood production value - which is film speak for how much loot wasavailable to spend on the sets, which includes the myriad extras, thisis a Brit film with a Brits take and Brit humour (which means,ironically, that the Hollywood input is something of a godsend). Sowhat does this - Brit - reviewer do? Review the room or the film of thebook. Or does he treat it as another Brits film with a Hollywood input?As romcoms go, it is pretty much standard stuff, with fewer sentimentalYank clichés, for which than God, but also for rather little romcomstyle logic. If, on the other hand, we are asked to regard the film asa celluloid version of Toby Young's autobiographical account of hisless than successful foray into the New York-based magazine high life,something is a little amiss. For however amusing the account is, and itis highly amusing, all the more for being more British than is usuallyallowed on these occasions, the account turns itself into yer actualHollywod romcom before you know what the bloody hell is going on. Ohdear, and this reviewer is thus reduced to attempting to slot what isotherwise a very amusing film into some kind of pigeon hole becausethat is what is required of films of this kind. And for that the filmitself cannot be blamed. The fault lies with our expectations of whatit should be. I have not idea how well or badly How To Lose . . . didat the box office up and down the U.S., but it would be unfair if itdid not do rather well. Simon Pegg is a very engaging Brita 'idiotsavant' abroad negotiating the social strata of New York, Kirsten Dunstis very engaging as the 'love interest', Danny Huston is very engagingas the slimy editor/boyfriend and Jeff Bridges, who always seems toprovide a top-notch performance, is very engaging as the rebel turnedarch-establishment editor who still harbours a soupcon of rebellion. Iunderstand that however outlandish the fictional Toby Young's antics atSharps magazine were, the antics of the factual Toby Young at VanityFair were ten times as shocking - the stripogram at the 'bring yourchildren to work' day' are said to be wholly true. All of whichnotwithstanding this film is worth whatever price you pay for yourcinema ticket or DVD. Nothing much wrong with this kind of romp, andthe laughs are rather good. The one thing I found rather disconcertingis that Simon Pegg is almost a dead spit of our very own and very funnyJasper Carrot. But if you don't know Jasper Carrot from a balti fromBalsall Heath (my old stomping ground was the The Kings Head in thatneck of the woods), I shouldn't worry too much. He isn't.

paberry-1 2012-04-25 14:46:30

Taken Down a Pegg or Two

Simon Pegg's meteorological rise ends abruptly as he crash lands inAmerica in this "comedy" mish-mash that unsuccessfully combinesstereotypical characters and old jokes creating a transatlantic andmakes Mr Bean look like an Oscar winner.The thin plot makes no sense. New York is painted as the cut-throatcapital of the world but allows an inexperienced Brit to work for fourmonths, repeatedly cocking-up, turning down assignments, and producingno work whatsoever.Maybe I'm a little oversensitive as a Brit living and working in NewYork but I've seen people fired in their first week in a job forputting too much sugar in their boss's coffee. OK, that's completelyuntrue. Now I'm peddling a stereotype but you get my point.Pegg's boozy charm and "one of the lads" persona, which has himchanting football songs at a Hamptons' Garden Party, is completelyundermined when he turns out to be a member of the aristocracy (thatmust have been an American's idea).As a love interest, Kirsten Dunst has her appeal but comedically shehas the timing of a British Airways terminal opening. Gillian Andersonis obviously desperate for work. I believe a daytime soap is ready tocatch a falling star.I'm so glad to see that Pegg had nothing to do with the writing,directing or production of this piece of transatlantic tripe. He has tobe a bit more careful about choosing his roles if he is to build on hishis big screen successes.There is one redeeming feature about this movie. Thandie Newton isstill totally shaggable.

darrenkoneill 2012-04-25 10:31:31

voice over man "The embarrassment will kill you....again and again"

This film is diabolically bad, there is not one remark or scene of anyWit whatsoever. Peggs character goes through the movie trying to defeatthe 'Gliteratti' magazine publishers contrived lifestyles byembarrassing himself over and over, somehow this is supposed to beconsidered as an irony an thus is supposed to elevate him to a superiorlevel of intellect. In fact he is so obnoxious he in fact does notachieve this and the very people who the audience are supposed to findfake and shallow are in fact easily much nicer people than he is.But finally I have looked at the reviews, and anyone who gave thistrash poor reviews got hardly any votes but, reviewers who found thisunbearable tale 'fantastic' got many positive feedbacks, all of thesepeople are insecure, and they are making a nonsense of the voting. Iactually watched this because IMDb users collectively gave it goodreviews, next time I will consider their insecurities and realize theyalways vote positively as they are voting to some self imposedconstruction of their own online identity and not the movie. Go aheadgive me no votes I don't care it, this film is an embarrassing bore ifyou like it that speaks volumes.Simon Pegg so you were quite happy to make English people look likeslimy idiotic crass vulgar moronic losers who stand up at lawn partiesand Shout EN-GER-LAAAAND EN-GER-LAAAND. They say everyones got a price,what ever you made from that movie you should be ordered by the Queento give it to charity.

2012-04-25 10:34:34

Its ok

Sydney White, a British journalist, who is extremely clumsy and a hell of an idiot, tried all his life to enter the celebrity world because he thought it is great and will make him very happy. He gets hired by a big firm in NYC called Sharp, which he can't help but continue acting like a total idiot around its staff and the celebrities. He then meets Megan Fox and feels very attracted to her. At the same time he is always annoying his colleague, whom in the end falls in love with her.A chick flick movie, with some stupid funny jokes

Framescourer 2012-04-25 00:19:59

Slight, raucous but fascinating

By no means a great film but one that is in many ways fascinating towatch. It's as if the studio has churned out another fantasy workplaceromcom. Then with everything in place, Simon Pegg is parachuted in toplay the most dreadfully irritating - yet somehow not unsympathetic -character he can possibly think of. It's a peculiar splice. The film isdead without Pegg, though it's not a vehicle; yet he is just doing anendless (and rather worn) skit without the support.There are all sorts of amusing cameos from British actors early on,which are rather fun. I would also have loved to see Bill Patterson'sbrief appearance as Sidney's twinkle-eyed father have been developed insome way. Of course it all curdles to mush by the close. 4/10

tastyhotdogs 2012-04-19 08:25:00

Alright

"How to win friends and alienate people" is the story of Sidney Young(Pegg), the brains behind "Post-Modern Review", a British celebrity ragthat pokes fun at celebrities. One day to his amazement he gets offereda role at "Sharps" magazine in NY, one of the most respected magazinesin the industry. He figures he's there to shake things up, but he'swrong and is given some very boring "work your way up from the bottom"work to do.From early on Sidney alienates most around him by being obnoxious, alittle too rough around the edges and unwilling to "play the game". Hestruggles to find any allies until he gradually wins over Alison(Dunst, in her finest work since "Jumangi"), a co-worker in hisdepartment. Sidney soon learns though to get anywhere he'll have tosell-out to get their respect and fulfill his dream of having sex withrising actress Sophie (Megan Fox, who I know nothing of except learningshe has an older sister from her IMDb.com profile).Not bad overall, with Pegg surprisingly good as Sidney. At first youinstantly hate him, but eventually he wins you over. A solid cast alsofeaturing Jeff Bridges (who I'd assumed was dead) and Scully from theX-Files, who seems to be making a comeback. Some pretty clever scenesand some freaky ones.

2012-04-19 00:43:00

Better than I Thought it would be

the acting was very good, the plot line was believable and funny, simon pegg is i think better in this movie than shaun of the dead and hot fuzz even though the humor is rather similar. several laughs throughout, megan fox looks awesome, jeff bridges is funny (the voice reminds you of the big lebowski but of course not as priceless)...and the movie has a cute ironic ending...which we don't have enough of in comedies...