Starring: Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges
Simon
Pegg is trying hard to win friends and influence people in Hollywood by
adding a few high-profile films to his CV. Next year we’ll see the
British comedian in Star Trek, but first he does his best to prop up this largely forgettable piece of fluff.
Based on a book by Toby Young — who had a stormy stint at magazine Vanity Fair — How To Lose Friends And Alienate People
sees London journalist Sidney (Pegg) move to New York after being
headhunted by celebrity bible Sharps. Once there, his cynicism,
practical jokes and cheeky attitude are in stark contrast to the
sycophantic exploits of fellow writers and drives editor Clayton
Harding (Bridges) to distraction.
As Sidney adjusts to his new surroundings he finds himself attracted
to two very different women — aspiring author Alison (Dunst) and rising
starlet Sophie (Megan Fox). So, will the bumbling Brit hang on to his
integrity and go for the right girl? Only a dimwit won’t see the
predictable ending coming a mile away.
A wise-cracking Pegg brings a breath of fresh air to stale
proceedings but is let down by an increasingly daft storyline.
Interesting plot strands like the relationship between Sidney and his
father and Alison’s dodgy love life are never fully explored with
Robert B Weide’s film merrily following the likes of The Devil Wears
Prada down a familiar path. A few funny moments involving
chicks-with-dicks and an annoying little dog saves this from landing up
in the garbage, but Pegg’s going to need Star Trek to boldly take him
to another level of stardom. PIERRE DE VILLIERS