How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)

37% of critics liked it
(108 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(46,631 ratings)

Frequent Curb Your Enthusiasm director Robert B. Weide makes his feature directorial debut with this screen adaptation of British writer Toby Young's comedic novel of the same name. When self-promoting scribe Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) accepts a position as a contributing editor for iconic fashion… More Frequent Curb Your Enthusiasm director Robert B. Weide makes his feature directorial debut with this screen adaptation of British writer Toby Young's comedic novel of the same name. When self-promoting scribe Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) accepts a position as a contributing editor for iconic fashion magazine "Sharps," his subsequent attempts to ingratiate himself with both his egotistical boss, Clayton Harding, and the superficial celebrities who populate the pages of the magazine prove disastrously hilarious. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Robert B. Weide
Written By: Peter Straughan
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 15, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Feb 17, 2009
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
Where the movie succeeds is in its sudden right turns, its willingness to kill a dog, always a bold choice, and its consistent emphasis of the comedy over the romance.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
Just because you are supposed to laugh doesn't mean you are going to laugh.
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice
It plays like a made-for-CBS redo of The Devil Wears Prada.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
What was good enough for the printed page -- a comic chronicle of our obsession with the shallow -- has been turned into the object of its own derision.
Scott Bowles, USA Today
Instead of skewering self-important stars and vapid journalists, Friends gets muddled in slapstick and crude humor.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
It seems Weide and Pegg were determined to make good on their title How to Lose Friends& Alienate People. You can sum up their results in two words: mission accomplished.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
droseri, ana diastimata asteia, alla en genei filodoksi apopeira aythadeias me eynoyhismenes eilikrineis protheseis kai bretaniko flegma kommeno stis akres gia na horesei se amerikaniko kaloypi romenti, opoy niotheis synehos na leipoyn pragmata
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
A scandal sheet satire that wears its antisocial tendencies on its sleeve, the movie takes aim at the inane gossip rag media world. But more often than not avoids punishment to fit the tabloid grime, that calls for more caustic rather than giddy strokes.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
Pegg is one of those actors about whom I can say things like, 'He's so funny, I would listen to him reading from the phone book,' and mean it.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
There are two full-length commentaries: an informative solo one by director Robert Weide and a higher energy, conversational and funny one by Weide and star Simon Pegg.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
The makings of an uncompromising, razor sharp satire were gathered together here. That the resulting movie slips off track as much as it does is particularly disappointing.
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com
A fun movie worth checking out.
Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat
... slickly constructed and frequently funny.
David Stratton, The Australian
I'm told that several of these characters are easily recognisable to insiders, but outside that small coterie there's still a great deal to enjoy about Sidney's fish-out-of-water exploits.
Jason Di Rosso, MovieTime, ABC Radio National
I feel I've seen a bit too much of Pegg in some not very funny films recently, but his fish out of water works well.
Jarrod Walker, FILMINK (Australia)
No bad thing, really, but a fair distance from the barbed humour of Young's book.
Vicky Roach, Daily Telegraph (Australia)
While Pegg has a good stab at lending the film some of his trademark knockabout charm, the film is as artless and difficult to warm to as its leading man.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael M

All of the cast perform very well and althought it doesn't keep it's promise it's still a fun light hearted movie with a witty script mixed with relaxed humour that's not too over the edge. Doesn't feel much like a Pegg movie to be honest.
Daniel P

I'm not sure I understand why this film gets no love. Simon Pegg took the gig, sure, but this isn't one of his own, so it shouldn't be held to the same standard. I thought it was really funny - lots of slapstick, fish-out-of-water stuff, and critical enough of the… More
I'm not sure I understand why this film gets no love. Simon Pegg took the gig, sure, but this isn't one of his own, so it shouldn't be held to the same standard. I thought it was really funny - lots of slapstick, fish-out-of-water stuff, and critical enough of the socially mobile and the celebutante culture alike. Also, I watched this a day after Crazy Heart, and to see Jeff Bridges disappear into this role the same way he did in his Oscar winning performance just proves that his late-career renaissance is for real. I even enjoyed Megan Fox strutting around, sex kitten-ing it up, even if she can't really act. People might say she's just playing herself - and other than Transformers, I haven't seen enough to agree or disagree - but so what? The over-the-top airhead, party girl role proved a good foil to the nerdy prick that Pegg played. Maybe Fox was perfectly cast. Not brilliant, but plenty entertaining, and even if it's more mechanical than it should be toward the end, there are a quite a few good laughs along an adequate, somewhat unconventional love story. Hmmm, comedic and romantic... two things I don't usually say of romantic comedies!
Lady D

My predicted rating: 3.5 Simon Pegg always manages to bring something new to the table where the storylines are concerned and his unique humour never tires. The great thing about Pegg is that he manages to star in Rom Coms which do not fit the Rom Com mould and appeals to the… More
My predicted rating: 3.5 Simon Pegg always manages to bring something new to the table where the storylines are concerned and his unique humour never tires. The great thing about Pegg is that he manages to star in Rom Coms which do not fit the Rom Com mould and appeals to the masses, not just lovers of the sub-genre. Here's hoping this man never runs out of new films to appear in!
Dean !

A decent comedy that I didn't think I would enjoy to be honest. I'm not a big Pegg fan Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz aside. This does have a very strong cast line up that surprised me, especially Megan Fox and Kirsten Dunst fill their roles well. It has quite a few laugh… More
A decent comedy that I didn't think I would enjoy to be honest. I'm not a big Pegg fan Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz aside. This does have a very strong cast line up that surprised me, especially Megan Fox and Kirsten Dunst fill their roles well. It has quite a few laugh out loud moments, and plenty of cringe worthy ones to. Started to get a bit Rom-com like towards the end but it's more of a social comedy.
Matt G

The only reason I saw this was because of Simon Pegg (and Megan Fox). Let me say, it's not as bad as critics say. It's funny, great actors, Jeff Bridges is in it for some reason... anyways, if you are in the mood for a mean spirited comedy, go 'Alienate' yourself… More
The only reason I saw this was because of Simon Pegg (and Megan Fox). Let me say, it's not as bad as critics say. It's funny, great actors, Jeff Bridges is in it for some reason... anyways, if you are in the mood for a mean spirited comedy, go 'Alienate' yourself by watching this great farce!
Bethany M

It was forgetable. Average.
Anthony L

I was ready to hate this but it wasn't too bad in the end. Simon Pegg's physical comedy has improved quite a lot and he hasn't sold himself out here like I thought he might have. Toby Young sounds like an annoying guy but the message is sound and comes across with very… More
I was ready to hate this but it wasn't too bad in the end. Simon Pegg's physical comedy has improved quite a lot and he hasn't sold himself out here like I thought he might have. Toby Young sounds like an annoying guy but the message is sound and comes across with very few cliches, it just about makes up for the horrible ending and overall it almost feels refreshing.
Mark W

Now that Simon Pegg has broken into the American market, he is getting offered more meatier roles. This was his first stab at a leading comedic part amongst an impressive star studded cast but despite the weight behind this one, it never quite gets off the ground. Sidney Young (Simon… More
Now that Simon Pegg has broken into the American market, he is getting offered more meatier roles. This was his first stab at a leading comedic part amongst an impressive star studded cast but despite the weight behind this one, it never quite gets off the ground. Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) is a down-on-his-luck British journalist offered the chance of a lifetime at glossy US magazine 'Sharps'. However, his plans to conquer New York hit speedbumps in the shape of a glamorous starlet (Megan Fox), her ruthless publicist (Gillian Anderson) and his increasingly irate co-workers (Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston & Jeff Bridges). This lightweight comedy has it's moments; Pegg is as endearing and buffoonish as ever and the rest of the cast also deliver fine performances - particularly Bridges who chews up his role - but unfortunately, the very talented lineup are wasted in a poorly written and sometimes desperate execution. The culture-clash scenario of a lone Brit tackling America, supplies enough gags for a while, but it soon grows tiresome and relies too heavily on this premise to get by. Other than this, we are offered a few slapstick Farrelly brothers moments which are, at best, mildly amusing. It is actually based on the real life experiences of Toby Young who wrote his book as a scathing attack on the vanity and shallowness of celebrity culture and if the film had stuck to a satirical approach, it might have worked. Instead, we get a predictably uninteresting, formulaic effort that wastes a very talented cast. Promises so much yet delivers so little. Only Jeff Bridges manages to make something of his role and come out relatively unscathed, but then...he is Jeff Bridges after all.
Richard C

I liked it. It wasn't hilarious but it was funny. The best thing about the movie was the scene with Megan Fox in her underwear. B-
Jason O

I've seen this movie twice now...unfortunately. I watched it long time ago, thought it was average at best, and now that I got digital cable recently, I watched it again, forgetting until it was about halfway over that I'd already seen it. So obviously it wasn't that… More
I've seen this movie twice now...unfortunately. I watched it long time ago, thought it was average at best, and now that I got digital cable recently, I watched it again, forgetting until it was about halfway over that I'd already seen it. So obviously it wasn't that memorable for me, eh? It's really not that bad, just average, and not funny at all to me, but interesting enough to follow throughout.
Alexis N

pretty cute little romcom, kinda funny, a classic 'grass is greener' type of movie. i loved the cast. megan fox is such a babe and simon pegg is so fun!
Lewis C

I guess this movie really is the male equivalent of The Devil Wears Prada, as many professional reviews have said. Simon Pegg plays a British writer with an initially off-putting, but ultimately appealing personality. I really don't think I would have enjoyed this movie as much… More
I guess this movie really is the male equivalent of The Devil Wears Prada, as many professional reviews have said. Simon Pegg plays a British writer with an initially off-putting, but ultimately appealing personality. I really don't think I would have enjoyed this movie as much as I did if Pegg wasn't in it. I haven't read the book that How to Lose Friends is based on, but I think I would like to after watching its film adaptation. Even though the romantic aspect was executed in the boring and predictable way it always seems to be done, I enjoyed the movie very much. It's a great choice for a few chuckles and a glimpse at celebrity magazine culture.
KJ P

It wasn't horrible, but it was terrible! I have never in my life turned off a movie in my life, but I had to for this weak piece of nothing. The first few jokes were slightly laughable, and then absolutely nothing came after that!
Arash X

Cliche & predictable but I just can't say no to a movie which has Simon Pegg & Jeff Bridges in it, Not to mention that Dunst was tolerable for a change & the rest of the cast was good as well with the exception of always intolerable Megan Fox but she plays the… More
Cliche & predictable but I just can't say no to a movie which has Simon Pegg & Jeff Bridges in it, Not to mention that Dunst was tolerable for a change & the rest of the cast was good as well with the exception of always intolerable Megan Fox but she plays the annoying talentless actress(?!!) she really is here so it doesn't really hurt, Overall the film is fun to watch & is saved by its fine cast, british humour & also its few touches of dark humour
Michael G

Ehh. I didn't love or hate this movie. Simon Pegg was on par and Kirsten Dunst was generally likable (and when properly lit, even attractive.) Megan Fox seemed to be playing herself as the vapid starlet. The highlight of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People isn't in the… More
Ehh. I didn't love or hate this movie. Simon Pegg was on par and Kirsten Dunst was generally likable (and when properly lit, even attractive.) Megan Fox seemed to be playing herself as the vapid starlet. The highlight of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People isn't in the predictable storyline or the activity in the foreground, but in the supporting performances. Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges were great. The scenes that were supposed to be embarrassing lost their luster when you realized the had no realistic consequences. Probably required viewing for die-hard anglophiles but no one else should feel obligated to see this movie.
Rubia Carolina .

It´s not so bad as I imagined. Let says it works. It has a mix of British and American humour (American "humour") , shows very well Hollywood´s little world and makes lot of references to the great Fellini´s "La Dolce Vita", the best film about the "celebrity… More
It´s not so bad as I imagined. Let says it works. It has a mix of British and American humour (American "humour") , shows very well Hollywood´s little world and makes lot of references to the great Fellini´s "La Dolce Vita", the best film about the "celebrity journalism" from where, by the way, the word paparazzi comes. *Sophie Maes crossing the swimming pool with La Dolce Vita´s theme song palying in the background is a direct reference to the scene of Sylvia in the Fontana di Trevi Enlarged. In my opinion, it is better than the original scene. <br/> <br/>
Manu G

I thought this movie was really good and I very much enjoyed it from beginning to the end. This movie really made me laugh alot and it was very much worth watching! Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame and glamor. His… More
I thought this movie was really good and I very much enjoyed it from beginning to the end. This movie really made me laugh alot and it was very much worth watching! Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame and glamor. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media obsessed stars and bucks trends, and so when Young is offered a job at the diametrically opposed conservative New York based Sharps magazine its something of a shock! It seems Sharps editor Clayton Harding is amused by Young's disruption of a post-BAFTA party with a pig posing as Babe. Thus begins Sidney's descent into success - his gradual move from derided outsider to confidante of starlet Sophie Maes. Initially helping him out at Sharps is colleague Alison Olsen, who has her own secret. Wither their friendship?
Morgan S

Accually very funny! I love Simon Peg, he is a great comedien! British actors are so much funnier than Americans!
Sanjaya &

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People is just a standard movie about how you work in the industry that offers you a glamorous life with all the pleasure you can got, no matter how hard it is... The cast in this movie were pretty good, Megan Fox, Danny Huston, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff… More
How To Lose Friends & Alienate People is just a standard movie about how you work in the industry that offers you a glamorous life with all the pleasure you can got, no matter how hard it is... The cast in this movie were pretty good, Megan Fox, Danny Huston, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, but the star of this movie is Simon Pegg... He is funny, really funny actually, but too bad he makes this movie only fun to himself, not to other people who want to watch this movie... And if people say that this movie is The Devil Wears Prada in male version, they got actually wrong!!! Even both of the main character work in a magazine, but The Devil Wears Prada has a lot of luxurious that can be offered than this movie... The fashion, the score, even the story has a big difference... Overall, it's not a movie that you would like it the most, but it is the movie that will perfectly fit for people to killing time, especially for all the boys who've been gone crazy about Megan Fox...
Film C

I loved it i thought this movie was pretty decent, being a simon pegg fan i was probably going to like it either way! Its funny and entertaining with romance and you could probably say that this film is a romcom but its got more laughs than a romcom usually has as theres not romance… More
I loved it i thought this movie was pretty decent, being a simon pegg fan i was probably going to like it either way! Its funny and entertaining with romance and you could probably say that this film is a romcom but its got more laughs than a romcom usually has as theres not romance from the start of the movie ! Pegg moves to New York and gets really interested in a new actress played by megan fox who is actually an idiot, but sort of falls for her and really wants to date her but through a series of events and some luck Pegg finally realises that shes not what he actually whats but is it too late for him to win back his true love?? well your have to watch the film but its a good film with a laugh a minute!!