I Love You Too

Review by Sean Lynch

A lot has been made of the fact that unless it involves some form of heroin addict, an Aussie movie just won't get made.

Sure, we all love a good old fashioned heroin addict romp - but I think we can safely say that, at this dire stage of the Aussie film industry, we just want something we know won't make us want to slit our wrists at the end of it.

I Love You Too is that movie.

From the pen of comedian Peter Helliar (best known as the "Bert Newton" to Rove's "Don Lane"), I Love You Too is Australia's first genuine attempt at a decent traditional Rom-Com (that also serves primarily as a "Bro-mance" as well).

It stars Brendan Cowell (Love My Way, Beneath Hill 60) as Jim, a 30 something emotionally stunted man whose inability to say "I Love You" to his girlfriend threatens to lose him the love of his life -  but also leads him to befriend a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who might have the words that will help Jim win Alice back.

While the laugh ratio is nowhere near as high as it should be, there is just so much about I Love You Too that works.

First up, there's the fact that I Love You Too actually looks like a movie (as opposed to a TV show, which is the major downfall of even big budget Aussie movies).

Daina Reid has been one of the most visually impressive TV directors of the last five years (especially with Very Small Business) and her subtle talent for colour and tone is on display here again.

Cowell proves once again he is the best "Australian Every-Man" going around, Helliar provides plenty of laughs and cements himself as "Australia's Jack Black", while Peter Dinklage shines every moment he is on screen. In fact, it's hard to see how the movie could have worked without the pint-sized star - he really is that good.

Also working in the film's favour is the genuinely impressive level of emotion and character development throughout the flick.

Granted, in the realm of a traditional "Rom-Com", it seems grossly out of place, but approach I Love You Too as a "relationship drama which is quite funny too" as opposed to a "Romantic Comedy" and you'll struggle to find a unsatisfied punter.

Sadly, I Love You Too is being sold to us - first and foremost - as a comedy, and in that regard I Love You Too is sure to leave more than a few folks in the crowd slightly underwhelmed.

Let's face it, when the biggest laughs come from a tiny cameo from Hamish Blake (he doesn't even say anything funny, it's just the fact it's him, quite bizarre)... you know something's a little bit wrong.

If only Helliar's character had been given a little more room to inject some improvised flair (when he's funny, he's very funny - but flails when trying to get in on the "emotional" action) there would really be nothing to complain about here.

That small marketing quibble aside, go into I Love You Too with an open mind and your faith in a future for decent commercially viable Australian films will be fully restored... until The Wog Boy 2 comes out... then it's all over again.

3.5 out of 5

I Love You Too
Australian release: 6th May, 2010
Official Site: I Love You Too
Cast: Peter Helliar, Yvonne Strahovski, Peter Dinklage, Megan Gale, Bridie Carter, Brendan Cowell, Hamish Blake
Director: Daina Reid