Context:

The film 'Friendship' is an uproarious new comedy from A24 featuring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, centered around a suburban dad whose attempts to befriend his charismatic new neighbor lead to comedic chaos. Directed by Andrew DeYoung, this marks his debut feature film, with Robinson's unique comedic style flawlessly captured despite his lack of involvement in the scriptwriting. The film explores themes of male friendship and 'spiritual emptiness', influenced by DeYoung's personal experiences and cinematic inspirations like Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master'. Notably, the role of Austin was expanded and rewritten specifically for Paul Rudd, and the film's production involved minimal improv, relying heavily on a scripted narrative. Filming took place in upstate New York during the winter, using natural lighting to create an unsettling yet comedic atmosphere, reminiscent of the psychological thriller 'Burning'.

Dive Deeper:

• Andrew DeYoung, making his debut as a feature film director, helms 'Friendship', which stars Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in a comedic tale about a suburban dad whose efforts to befriend his new neighbor lead to unexpected chaos.

• Despite the film's humor aligning closely with Tim Robinson's comedic style, he surprisingly did not contribute to the writing, though his portrayal was pivotal, as envisioned by DeYoung, who shares a real-life friendship with Robinson.

• The film delves into the complexities of male friendship and explores themes of 'spiritual emptiness', drawing from DeYoung's personal experiences and inspired by the narrative style of Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'The Master'.

• Paul Rudd's character, originally a smaller role named Brian, was expanded and renamed Austin to suit Rudd's involvement, showcasing the flexibility and collaboration present in the film's production process.

• Filmed in the harsh winter of upstate New York, the production utilized natural lighting to evoke a sense of unease, echoing the aesthetic of the film 'Burning', while maintaining a comedic tone that keeps the audience on edge.

• Tim Robinson, not fond of improvisation, worked with director DeYoung to keep the majority of the film's dialogue as scripted, with minimal improv contributions primarily from Paul Rudd.

• Kate Mara was cast against her usual type as Tami, adding a dynamic contrast to Robinson's performance, which was part of DeYoung's strategic casting to enhance the film's comedic and thematic depth.