Reviews > How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

Simon Pegg pulls away from the ridiculous humor of zombie killing & crime fighting. Into the ackward hilarity of social climbing in “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.” Directed by Rob Weide & adapted by Peter Straughan from Toby Young’s semi fictional book “How to Lose Friends” focuses on Brit-born Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) & his year long adventure into the red carpet world of magazine publishing.
Ever since he was a young lad Sidney has dreamed to be amongst the famous of the movies, to live in the lap of luxury he believed the actors dwelled in. In first- person voice- over narrative the film starts present day where Sydney is wearing a fancy tuxedo & designer watch, attending an awards ceremony with newly inaugurated starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox). The movie then flashes back to a year before the sparkle & influence of Sydney’s life as production manager at the highly regarded Sharps Magazine.
When not trying to crash his way into film premieres & after parties, Sydney runs a counter - culture style of publication called Post Modern Review. After talking up Thandie Newton & making an array of flash photography at a party Sydney charms up Sharps Magazine’s founding editor Clayton Harding. He manages to land a job offer & off to NYC he goes. No more than four months into the job Sydney manages to overstep his position on the professional ladder & repeatedly irritates coworker Alison (Kursten Dunst) the closest thing he has to a friend. A somewhat misleading title for Sydney doesn’t have any friends to lose his personality & behavior are completely socially inept noticed by all except himself. But poor Sydney can’t help but be himself even if it’s totally offensive & inappropriate. This film will have you laughing but also feeling empathy for him. Sydney is one of those who has an underlying innate charm that you can’t say no to.

Neal
Film Journalist