How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) is the owner/lead journalist of a small British celebrity magazine. After crashing a party hosted by the editor of Sharp’s magazine by pretending to be the handler for the pig from Babe 3, Sidney is offered a starting position by the editor (Jeff Bridges).  Immediately in over his head, Sidney arrives on the New York entertainment scene constantly bumbling about and often speaking his own contrary opinions to people who are uninterested.  Finding and unlikely friend in his co-worker Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst), Sidney quickly tries to get her help in bagging the new “it girl” on the scene (Megan Fox).  Run time: 90 minutes Rated PG-13

Not everyone may find a movie about a celebrity magazine writer’s fall to power all that interesting.  Simon Pegg fans should enjoy his typical irreverent humor, otherwise How to Lose Friends and Alienate people has about as much originality to offer as another remake of Can’t Buy me Love. This one may be worth waiting until the movie gets to dvd.  In the meantime Simon Pegg fans can go out and rent Run Fatboy Run, Hot Fuzz, or Spaced (the British television show where he got his start).  Grade C