Introducing the Most Tim Robinson of Tim Robinson Characters

by

In a bustling SXSW theater, I watched the movie “Friendship” beside an unassuming stranger who subtly groaned whenever Tim Robinson’s character, Craig Waterman, was on the verge of doing something inappropriate. While this behavior could be irritating in many situations, it complemented this film remarkably well, serving as an unexpected, involuntary soundtrack of shared embarrassment. The movie “Friendship” is filled with awkwardness, a persistent mood that even Craig Waterman, a husband, father, and corporate drone, can’t seem to escape.

The narrative begins at a cancer-survivor support group meeting, where Tami (played by Kate Mara) shares her fears about the disease returning, speaking in sincere yet vulnerable tones. The camera then focuses on Craig, who places his hand on Tami’s thigh and says, “It’s not coming back.” This moment is startlingly abrupt. Craig intended to offer comfort to his wife, but the situation feels awkwardly misplaced — the smug expression on his face, the calculated gesture, and the slightly prolonged pause between touch and reassurance all contribute to the humorously inappropriate atmosphere.

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.

In simpler terms, Craig doesn’t have many social connections beyond his home and work. However, Austin, who is fascinated by Bronze Age artifacts and invites Craig on impromptu adventures like exploring the town’s aqueducts and the rooftop of City Hall for a smoke, seems incredibly exciting to Craig – he’s like a local celebrity in Craig’s eyes. Craig quickly causes trouble. The film “Friendship” features Rudd playing characters who are not as cool as they think they are, such as an obnoxious lifeguard in “Wet Hot American Summer” or an overconfident field reporter in “Anchorman”. Austin may be married, but he’s a big deal in the small community, and Craig idolizes him excessively. The friendship between these two men is amusing when they are getting along, as Craig daydreams about their relationship deepening in various ways. However, the story really picks up when their friendship starts to deteriorate. After being invited to join Austin’s group of friends for an ‘audition’, Craig ends up causing a series of mishaps that range from property damage to physical harm, culminating in a bizarre moment where he offers to clean his mouth with soap while apologizing, “I’m sowwy“.

Craig’s longing for connection is relatable, but he lacks any kind of empathy, which makes the movie Friendship watchable, despite the occasional grumbles from my fellow movie-goer in Texas. Robinson excels at portraying ordinary characters who make unusual decisions, keeping us on edge with every action. The film sometimes feels like a less steamy version of an erotic thriller or a modern take on The Cable Guy, where the main character is the antagonist. Despite this, it’s the small comedic moments that make the movie work so well, building tension between Craig and Austin just as effectively. An amusing subplot involving a teenage drug dealer in a phone store leads to an incredibly ordinary drug trip scene, Craig often uses Marvel as a noun, and Conner O’Malley delivers a great loud cameo. If the movie sometimes feels like an extended ITYSL sketch, it could be worse – as Craig points out when criticizing Austin and his friends for accepting him too quickly, “People need rules.” Familiarity isn’t bad when the actors are this good at it.

Read More

2025-05-10 02:10