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How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) 6.5
Ratings:
6.5/10 from 56,291 users
Metascore: 35/100
Reviews: 95 user | 133 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com A British writer struggles to fit in at a high-profile magazine in New York. Based on Toby Young's memoir "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People". Director:Robert B. Weide |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Kelan Pannell | ... | |
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Janette Scott | ... | |
| Simon Pegg | ... | ||
| Megan Fox | ... | ||
| Gillian Anderson | ... | ||
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Kelly Jo Charge | ... |
Apollo Awards Presenter
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Christian Smith | ... |
Apollo Awards Guest
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| Katherine Parkinson | ... | ||
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Felicity Montagu | ... | |
| Thandie Newton | ... |
Herself
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| John Lightbody | ... | ||
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Ian Bonar | ... | |
| James Corden | ... | ||
| Fenella Woolgar | ... | ||
| Chris O'Dowd | ... | ||
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame and glamor. His alternative magazine, "Post Modern Review", pokes fun at the media obsessed stars and bucks trends, and so when Young is offered a job at the diametrically opposed conservative New York based "Sharps" magazine it's something of a shock! It seems "Sharps" editor Clayton Harding is amused by Young's disruption of a post-BAFTA party with a pig posing as Babe. Thus begins Sidney's descent into success - his gradual move from derided outsider to confidante of starlet Sophie Maes. Initially helping him out at Sharps is colleague Alison Olsen, who has her own secret. Wither their friendship? Written by Anonymous
Taglines:
The most hilarious comedy of the year. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, some graphic nudity and brief drug material | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 October 2008 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Comment perdre ses amis et se mettre tout le monde à dos See more »Box Office
Budget:
$27,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£1,154,607 (UK) (3 October 2008)Gross:
$2,775,593 (USA) (5 December 2008)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Sidney Young: [...]
See more »
Written by Nathan Ferraro (as Ferraro)
Performed by The Midway State
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Operations
Published by Remedy Music Group/Universal Music Publishing Ltd/Runaway Music Canada
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The film makes several references to the Coen Brothers' film The Big Lebowski (1998). Sydney accidentally calls Mrs. Kowalski "Mrs. Lebowski". Also, Maddox is identified by drinking White Russians, the drink of choice for The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges in "The Big Lebowski". Also, Simon Pegg called Jeff Bridges 'dude' at one point, and Jeff Bridges claimed, "I'm not 'the Dude'.". See more »Goofs
A printed interview with Sophie Maes says "psychophants" instead of "sycophants." See more »Quotes
Clayton Harding: [Meeting with Sidney for the first time in Clayton's corporate office] You think you've arrived, don't you? Hate to break it to you, but you're only in the first room. In about a year, maybe longer, you'll discover a secret doorway at the back of the first room that leads to the second. And in time, if you're lucky, you'll discover another doorway in the back of the second room that leads to the third. There are seven rooms altogether. You're in the first. I'm in the seventh. Don't you forget it...Sidney Young: [...]
See more »
Soundtracks
Change for YouWritten by Nathan Ferraro (as Ferraro)
Performed by The Midway State
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Operations
Published by Remedy Music Group/Universal Music Publishing Ltd/Runaway Music Canada
See more »
Sidney Young (Pegg) moves from England to New York to work for the popular magazine Sharpe's in a hope to live his dream lifestyle but struggles to make a lasting impression.
Based on Toby Young's book about survival in American business, this comedy drama received mixed views from critiques. Labelled as inconsistently funny but with charm by the actors, how to lose friends seemed as a run of the mill fish out of the pond make fun at another culture comedy, but it isn't.
This 2008 picture works on account of its actors and the simple yet sharp story. We start off in the past, then in the present and are working our way forwards to see how Young made his mark at one of America's top magazines.
Pegg (Hot Fuzz) is too likable for words. Whether it's hitting zombies with a cricket bat or showing his sidekick the nature of the law the English actor brings a charm and light heartedness to every scene. Here, when the scripting is good but far from his own standards, he brings a great deal of energy to the picture and he alone is worth watching for. His antics with "Babe 3" are unforgivable, simply breathtaking stuff as is his over exuberant dancing, but he pulls it off splendidly.
Bridges and Anderson do well at portraying the stereotypical magazine bosses where Dunst fits in nicely to the confused love interest. Megan Fox, who stole Transformers, reminds everyone she can act here with a funny hyperbole of a stereotype film star. The fact that her character Sophie Myles is starring in a picture about Mother Teresa is as laughable as her character's antics in the pool. To emphasize the point there is a dog, and Pegg rounds that off in true Brit style comedy, with a great little twist.
Though a British film there is an adaptation of American lifestyle for Young as he tries to fit in and we can see the different approaches to story telling. Young wants the down right dirty contrasted with the American professionalism. The inclusion of modern day tabloid stars will soon make this film dated but the concept of exploitation of film star's gives this edge.
Weide's first picture is not perfect. There are lapses in concentration as the plot becomes too soapy with an awkward obvious twist and there are too many characters to be necessary. The physical comedy can also be overdone. As a side note, the bloopers on the DVD are some of the finest you will ever see, which are almost half an hour long.
This comedy drama has Simon Pegg on shining form again and with the collective approach to story telling and sharp comedy, it is worth watching.