“I Love You, Man,” the latest offering from director John Hamburg (“Along Came Polly”), joins the recent string of male-oriented comedies that not only embrace love as a reality of heterosexual relationships but glorify it.

Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is a likable, straight-laced, romantic momma’s boy so in touch with his sensitive side that he never really learned how to interact with other guys–any attempt to do so generally resulting in cringe-inducing awkwardness that is both hilarious and difficult to watch.

The fact that Peter is more comfortable making root beer floats for girl’s night than knocking back a few cold ones with the boys doesn’t seem to bother his fiancee Zooey (Rashida Jones)–that is, until her girlfriends mention how odd and lopsided their wedding party will look without any groomsmen.  Ever the noble and caring boyfriend, Peter sets out on a quest to find a best man before the wedding.

The film is a standard romantic comedy adapted for straight men.  You can probably guess how the rest of the film plays out.  Peter goes on a series of “man dates,” in which we’re shown the obligatory false starts and mismatches until he finds “the one” in Sydney Fife (Jason Segel).

Sydney is a symbol of male freedom.  He makes good money, enjoys frequent visits from beautiful women, and says whatever he’s thinking even if the result is being put in a sleeper-hold by Lou Ferrigno.  He is the yang to Peter’s yin.

Several characters experience rather developed arcs in the film.  Peter is empowered by the exploration of his masculinity, Sydney is forced to deal with the thought of growing up and his increasing loneliness, Zooey must learn to accept the new and improved Peter, and both Peter and Zooey are forced to examine their relationship much more closely in light of those changes.

But don’t worry, it’s not as serious as it sounds.  It’s packed with crude humor, projectile vomiting, and fart jokes.

Paul Rudd is a master of comedic subtly, and proves he can carry a feature film.  Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”) is great as Peter’s gay, younger brother, and J.K. Simmons (“Juno”) is hilarious again as the tactless father.

Though it falls short of groundbreaking, “I Love You, Man,” has some big laughs, satisfying payoffs, and a genuine core.