Review: “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People”

Seen on: October 4, 2008

The players: Director: Robert B. Weide, Writer: Peter Straughan, Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Simon Pegg, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson

Facts of interest: Inspired by the book by Toby Young.

The plot: A British journalist (Pegg) discovers a way into the world of celebrities when he's offered a job at a prestigious New York magazine.

Our thoughts: “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” marks Simon Pegg’s latest effort in a lead role, and while the British comedian puts on a decent enough show, everything around him falls to pieces early on. Inspired by the life of Toby Young, the film focuses on a British celebrity journalist who gets the unique opportunity to work for Sharps, New York’s most respected magazine.

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'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People' web reviews

Simon Pegg plays a British writer invading a big-time New York magazine in Robert B. Weide's new comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," which also stars Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton, Jeff Bridges, Kirsten Dunst and Megan Fox. That's quite a cast! But is the film funny enough? And how is Pegg doing in the lead role? Let's find out:

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It all boils down into a hodgepodge of scenes that seem to be thrown together in singular attempts to capture an audience's attention rather than service any kind of cohesive story with a particular goal."

• Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson: "Pegg helps a great deal in this regard. He doesn't actually give a consistent performance, as he did so well in 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz,' but he's also not afraid of being 'unlikeable.'"

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