A film director's theory of love. Judd Apatow, the modern-day godfather who values friendship above all else

A modern-day godfather who values friendship above all else

There are few filmmakers as passionate about their families as Judd Apatow, a producer and director at the forefront of modern Hollywood comedy. In fact, whenever he encountered paparazzi in his private life, he was well known for striking playful poses with his family for the cameras. Even during his work, he seemed to never want to be apart from his wife, actress Leslie Mann, and his two daughters, who he has continued to feature in his films since they were young.

His eldest daughter, Maud, has recently starred in the TV drama "Euphoria" and is making a name for herself as an actress, but Judd has not only helped raise his own children. He famously advised Emma Stone, who was still unknown when he was cast in "Superbad," to dye her hair red, which helped her achieve great success.

Additionally, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, whom he discovered through the TV series Freaks and Geeks, are known as the "Apatow Gang" and continue to collaborate with him to this day (although many, like James Franco and Jonah Hill, have since gotten into trouble and retired from the industry). He is a great protector of not only his family but also the young talent he hooks up with, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is the "Godfather of modern Hollywood."

Despite this, it's interesting that the men in Judd's films don't embody the typical "happy family image" like Judd himself. In "Knocked Up," its spinoff "Family Planning for 40," and "How to End a Good Life," the men feel suffocated and pressured by their family life, played by Leslie and her daughters, and this causes problems. What shouldn't be overlooked is that they are able to confront their own problems through their interactions with their male friends.

Looking at his works from this perspective, it is interesting to note that his works often feature non-blood-related, non-typical families. In "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," the protagonist is timid about having sex with the single mother he falls in love with, but has no hesitation in loving her children. Similarly, the protagonist in "The Legendary Rockstar Reborn!" does not seem confused when he finds out that his son is actually the child of his wife and her lover.

"Step Brothers" features two middle-aged men who become stepbrothers when their parents remarry, while "King of Staten Island" explores the relationship between a delinquent youth and his mother's boyfriend, highlighting the issue of family relationships that are not related by blood.However, the men develop strong bonds through friendship rather than familial love, and overcome the walls that stand between them.

Perhaps Judd believes that friendship is the foundation of all good human relationships, including romantic and family relationships, whether between men or not. In other words, love is just another name for friendship. The fact that Judd and his friends in the film and in the aforementioned paparazzi photos look more like friends than family is perhaps a reflection of his thinking.

Three romantic comedies and family dramas where friendship is key

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