Someone Marry Barry

Someone Marry Barry ranks as a quirky, off-beat, and irreverently funny comedy. Directed by Rob Pearlstein and released in 2014, this movie thrives on wit, humor, and crafting genuinely likable, if flawed, characters. Starring Tyler Labine, Damon Wayans Jr., and Hayes MacArthur, the film develops a plot that stems from friendship, loyalty, and the attempts to deal with one's socially awkward friends.

Tyler Labine takes on the title role as Barry, a man whose uncensored honesty and lack of a social filter make him brazenly endearing, if incredibly irritating to some. Barry's brutal honesty is what sets him apart; he's incapable of bending to social niceties and has a knack for inappropriately timed truths. He is seen as an unbearable nuisance by his friends who find themselves frequently embroiled in awkward situations due to Barry’s lack of discernment. Despite their friendship, Barry’s antics become too much for his close-knit group of friends to tolerate.

Damon Wayans Jr., and Hayes MacArthur play the roles of Kurt and Rafe, Barry's childhood friends who've reluctantly put up with his eccentricities for years. Desperate and keen on finding a way to rein Barry in, they hatch a scheme to get him hitched. They bank on the perennial belief - get your obnoxious friend married, and his wife will take on the job of being his filter and savior to the world.

The movie comes alive with their attempts to find a suitable partner for Barry. Their efforts take a sharp and unexpected turn when they find Mel, played by Lucy Punch. She’s as blunt and outgoing as Barry, and there is an instant connection - a match made in heaven or hell, depending upon perspective. Mel proves to be more than they had bargained for; she’s as much of a social disaster as Barry, leading the friends to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake.

Someone Marry Barry dives into themes of friendship, acceptance, and love in its own unique style. It's a film that isn't afraid to delve into the uncomfortable spaces of companionship, exploring the lengths people will go to preserve long-standing friendships. The comedy also briefly brushes the potential downsides of trying to mold people into the societal norm, hinting at an understanding of individual eccentricities.

The movie is underpinned by charming performances. Labine's portrayal of the misfit Barry is both cringe-inducing and engaging. Wayans and MacArthur expertly portray the agony of dealing with a best friend who’s a social grenade, while Punch is noteworthy for her candid portrayal of Mel, bringing equal parts charm and chaos.

Although the film leans heavily on crude humor, it masterfully intersperses these moments with sincerity and surprising warmth, amidst its screwball comedy atmosphere. While Barry does little to make himself likable through convention, it is his total disregard for social decorum that quickly makes him the movie's beating heart. You laugh at him and with him as the film progresses.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Someone Marry Barry is its unwillingness to become just another cliche romantic comedy. Yes, it's crude, yes, it's irreverent, but it is also at its core a refreshing romp through the calamities of friendship and love, with plenty of laughs to be had along the way.

Visually, directing style is quite straightforward, driven more by the narrative than reliant on any particular aesthetic style. The events mostly occur in everyday environments that appear no different than everyday life, which contrasts and highlights the film’s absurd comedic situations.

In conclusion, Someone Marry Barry is a comedy that unabashedly presents itself as what it is - a funny, crass, yet unexpectedly charming movie that depicts the complexity of friendship, the struggle for acceptance, and the hilarious calamity when social norms collapse. It relishes in the chaos it creates, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and lingering smiles.

This film's appeal is its love for its quirky underdog characters and the actors' willingness to embrace them for all they're worth. It might not be a movie you'd want to watch with your grandparents, but it's a delightful choice if you're after some feel-good, comedic relief.