
The struggle for Craig is that he doesn’t quite fit the mold of a genuine eccentric. He’s somewhat odd, often misreading social situations and telling jokes that fall flat, which creates a chasm between the acceptance he yearns for and the impression he makes on others, pushing him to the edge. This predicament is reminiscent of Tim Robinson’s character quirks, as seen in his show “I Think You Should Leave.” The film, titled “Friendship” by writer-director Andrew DeYoung, seems tailored around such characters. In essence, it doesn’t explore new ground for Robinson, but offers a suitable stage for his first leading role on the big screen.
At the outset, Craig appears to lead a relatively normal life, holding down a corporate job, conversing superficially with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer), brushing off signs of dissatisfaction from Tami, and boasting about his achievement of installing speed bumps on their street. It’s not until Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), a local weatherman who plays in a band, moves in next door that Craig realizes what he’s been missing.