A different kind of buddy movie.

In 2009, Paul Rudd starred in “I Love You, Man,” in which he played an engaged guy looking for a best friend to be his best man for his wedding. And that buddy was Jason Segel. In the commercial aspect, that was a funny movie.

This year, Rudd plays a new neighbor who becomes interesting to a self-loathing and cynical family man in “Friendship.” In the A24 release, this is funny and strange. I’m describing two different kinds of Paul Rudd comedies that basically share the same topic, but go in different directions.

Just last week, I’ve gotten into a conversation with an old buddy of mine who told me he likes quirky comedies like “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and at the time, I couldn’t recommend any comedies in that league to him. “Friendship” isn’t a Wes Anderson movie (and I’ll talk about his next movie “The Phoenician Scheme” later this month), but it is quirky and funny without being forced and strange without being stranger.

The self-loathing and cynical family man is Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), whose only friends are his work buddies. Looking at him for the first time, I would assume he’s autistic, if he talks specifically from time to time or wear clothes that fit him from one specific place. His cancer free wife Tami (Kate Mara) runs a flower business and his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer) is in teenage mode. Meaning he likes his mom more than his dad. And their mailman keeps delivering the wrong package to their house.

The package belongs to their new neighbor Austen (Paul Rudd), who is the evening weatherman, and Craig returns the package to him. Tami suggests that he should spend an evening with Austen, and his aspects totally changes. They spend so many fun times up to the point of Craig desperately trying to be cool like Austen’s buddies. But then, Austen decides to see less of him. Think of this like Brendan Gleeson canceling his friendship with Colin Farrell in “The Banshees of Inisherin” or Matthew Broderick trying to avoid Jim Carrey in “The Cable Guy.” Except it’s more about Craig’s insecurities that begin to affect his own well-being, job, and family.

As I continued to watch “Friendship,” I was in question about the main protagonist’s behavior which can be a bit exhausting, especially in one subplot when his wife memorially goes missing and he doesn’t apologize or embrace her like he should. But most of the way through, I was able to find a lot of big laughs based on how Robinson handles his dialogue and characteristics. I’ve never seen his work on “SNL,” “Detroiters,” or “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,” so I wouldn’t have understood his comedy talents. But as I saw “Friendship,” I still thought he delivers likable material.

Rudd has proven himself wisely in the buddy comedy genre with movies like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up,” “I Love You, Man,” “Role Models,” or “Dinner for Schmucks.” And I like the way he applies a nice blend of quirkiness and seriousness as a weatherman whose personality transitions in what would have been a perfect friendship if Craig didn’t try too hard. It’s clear Craig never got the message about being himself, instead of assuming all buddies have to be tough. It’s something that some R-rated comedies (like “Tag,” “Jackpot,” “Dirty Grandpa,” “Strays,” or “The Out-Laws,” etc.) never got the message of.

“Friendship” was written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, whose background includes TV episodes for shows like “Our Flag Means Death,” TV specials like “Would It Kill You to Laugh,” and short films like “Ohio.” He makes his movie debut with two comedy stars, who can handle whatever material he throws at them. This is a comedy to raise some questions about Craig’s personality, but also tickle you in its character study and examination.

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