The Venice Beach Stereotype in "I Love You, Man"

A friend in New York calls to say that I MUST see the new movie "I Love You, Man," not because of the hilarity (brief but present), but for the scenes of Venice. He says he imagines me settled in a bungalow "just like that" and living the life of Jason Segel's character, Sydney. Well, I don't live in a Man Cave, my bungalow does not have a "jerk-off station" like Sydney's, and it's not outfitted with Koo Koo Roo chicken, a bass guitar or a bong. It is now filled with John Robshaw pillows and quilts, a bamboo dining set from Patio Culture and Agaves and Banana plants from The Sculpture Garden on Abbot Kinney. That sounds so prissy and defensive, but my bungalow is starting to work for me.

Décor aside, my friend is partly right about Sydney and I sharing a life. Time is completely unstructured here, which I'm getting used to (and could still use suggestions on that front). My former New York daily routine of Gym at 6 am, Shower at 8, Work at 9 (ok, 9:30) is out the window. And by the looks of my fellow Chai latte drinkers at Abbot's Habit, the morning shower really hasn't caught on with anyone else here. I'm not a beer drinker but I can see that anytime is Heineken time in Venice. Whereas New York is often characterized by its "night life", Venice seems to have a "day life" that is busy, friendly, and active even if it's not productive. In New York, working at home feels like a sick day; in Venice, every day is Saturday, whether working or not.

So many New Yorkers told me I would feel isolated and lonely in L.A. that I put off the move till I realized that New York wasn't actually any better. I am relieved to find this was just one more East Coast urban myth; especially when it comes to living in Venice. In fact, my neighbors disturbingly know my every move and keep track of my dating life. That's for another post. As I write this, three of my street-mates are speaking across the lawn, their dogs barking along (loudly).

The Venice stereotype in the movie--mismatched patterns on every piece of clothing, the omnipresent scarf, alternative transportation vehicles, great tacos, sketchy financial status, and indiscernible employment--seems true enough on the outside, though I'm not expert enough to judge. (The only thing they missed was the knit cap.) What I did relate to was Sydney's emancipated spirit. He's earnest without being sappy, unapologetic (though he could have picked up the dog poop) and unembarrassed about his girly Uggs or anything else. And not that that those attributes are strictly Venetian, but overall the people I've met here are pretty open and honest. I like that.

Unlike Sydney though, I'm not "good at investments." I'm still wondering how he actually supports himself here. In New York, you get a job, go to your office, and arrange for direct deposit. Believe me, I miss the check. Here, I drive in my car, go to meetings, email from my iPhone, and talk about ideas. When does the money part come in? Please advise.

I went to see "I Love You, Man" with two friends who have a business in Venice. When scenes of Abbot Kinney and Venice Beach first appeared, we chuckled. I wonder why everyone gets such a kick out of seeing his or her own little town up on the screen? After all, we're living here every day. Is it seeing caricatures of ourselves that gets the laugh? I can't call it my town yet, but I have to say I was smiling inside as if it were.

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Comments

[lamonkeystar]

Yes, people here work, eat, sleep, and even have jobs. Try it some time. And you can even use direct deposit.

[lamonkeystar]

And be happy you can afford to move and have the "John Robshaw pillows and quilts, a bamboo dining set from Patio Culture and Agaves and Banana plants from The Sculpture Garden on Abbot Kinney."

Sounds like a lot of complaining over nothing.

[ihackett]

I am a NorCal kid so I am sure most SoCal purists will ignore this comment - because that's what we were taught to do, like a cherished handed down family tradition - but I enjoyed this post. And after readying such passionate comments I realized that this post did more than it's job, of sharing one person's view on relocating and changing one's 'path', it provoked conversation. Isn't that a blog's purpose? To expose an individual's thought/view on a subject matter, create a social talking point and gets people to share theirs. I love the fact that so many readers took a side. To me it means the author is speaking the truth or shining light on one that some people have a lot of 'energy' around.

[danwardyoga]

hey martha! do you know about electric lodge? it's on electric ave. (which runs parallel to abbott kinney). there's a beautiful dance studio there where i just started teaching yoga by donation only.. check www.danwardyoga.com for all the info.

now the thursday 9am class offers childcare for $2 a kid..

hope to see you in class!

[deborama]

I lived in Venice Beach in the early 80s, on the Grand Canal, one of the few remaining canals. It was utterly magical!

[aliVonal]

I lived in Venice Beach for three years, right on Ocean Front Walk. Now I live in North Virginia. I beat myself up everyday for that decision. Venice Beach is one of the most unique and wonderful places in the US. I can't wait to break free of the North East and go home to the Southland!

[hbhawaii]

If you want to see a really different view of Venice, rent the Orson Welles movie "Touch of Evil." The movie was shot mostly in Venice, in the late fifties, and Venice plays the part of a run down Mexican border town.

[dsanto]

The author would never write the phrase "right about I," so why write "right about Sydney and I"? Because the pronoun is the object of the preposition "about," the correct phrase is "right about Sydney and me."

[Joye]

I was born and raised in Southern Calif; mostly Brentwood. I can't imagine living in stuffy New Yawk; all those people and having to hear horrible New Yawk accents all day. Ugh. Give me the California, laid back attitude ANY DAY. I used to go to Venice, Ca. but now I live too far away (in the O.C.) Long live the California Dream!!!

[kkuchenb]

Talk about stereotypes. The California "like totally" speech has taken over in New York, and it now sounds almost as terrible as California (I grew up there and feel free to judge). When I hear an authentic New York accent these days, I smile and want to shake the person's hand.

[hartss]

Joye, have you actually VISITED New York any time in the last decade? The stereotypes you so callously mention above are largely vanquished to the trash heap of history. I travel all around the US for work, and must tell you that as much as I love to visit California, its population's attitude has become (generally) more aggressive and rude over the years, particularly relating to obnoxious, dangerous drivers and indifferent, rude restaurant service. Again, these are generalities, but I mention them for a reason.

[Daniel Samakow]

I'm a long time Venice resident and supporter of the unique vision of Abott Kinneys' idea of a diverse, human scale community that "I Love You, Man" beautifully showcased. Here's a few thoughts. First, Martha, how could you miss the founding scene at James' Beach where they have their first man-date? James' Baech was chosen because it reflected Venice energy and diversity. Yes, Venice has diversity! We've had starving artists up to wealthier people mixed in for a very long time. I personally see everybody mix and get along at James' Beach and it's beautiful, man! This is a long time tradtion. An example, Ron Kovic who was down and out talked to Oliver Stone at the old 72 Market St , and the movie "Born on the 4th of July" was born.

By the way, for those foodies who saw the film: the fish tacos are truly amazing. J.B. makes the black beans, salsa, etc., but also has a high tech fish purveyor. The Mahi is caught, fillets and cleans on the boat, then individually cut into each serving of fish tacos and cry-o-vaced. Keeps all the flavor in!

Lastly, the film was the first to show the recenty restored "VENICE" sign, a tribute to the Venice's spirit! The night it was turned on, Venetian's blocked a major intersection to wait and watch. The police beautifully stood by. I was beautiful. I loved "I Love You, Man" and I love Venice.

[gav3d]

In roughly 20 years time I will come back to post the following on this forum.
----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­--
I moved to Venice back in 2008 working for a company there doing cg before everything went holographic. It was a vibrant and diverse community full of artists and creative folk but all this has changed now. Its not the same great place I remember back in 2009. As I became older and more conservative I noticed different types of people had moved here who listened to music I couldn't relate to. I began to see tourists on the boardwalk as philistines who didn't appreciate the glory days of Venice beach in the late noughties. It became really commercialized and fake and the friendly laid-back atmosphere was replaced with rampant mean-spirited consumerism.
I live in a boring suburban area now but enjoy arrogantly reminiscing about Venice when it was still cool. I blame president schwarcheneggar.
----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------

[triplbee]

The Venice of 2009 is an uber-expensive town filled with entertainment executives, high priced lawyers, and the occasional techie. It hasn't been filled with artists and creative folk for 30 years.

[youngliberal]

Saying what Venice is or isn't as if you have the definitive answer clearly shows your lack of knowledge on the subject.

Love watching people say what venice "is" and "isn't"... Venice just is. Either you like it or don't.

Either way its so diverse if you look at it as a whole (ya, not just the boardwalk... it goes all the way to lincoln, remember?), you see what I mean.

[youngliberal]

Please don't tell me you got paid to write this... the irony combined with the lack of any original thought made me wonder why I even read through it.

Born and raised in Venice, too.

Sorry, just being honest.

[pakaal]

A non-review of a movie, notes on the author's lifestyle, and references to one district of a city in the US I've never visited.

Gotta agree with youngliberal - what was the point?

[triplbee]

Why did you read the article if you thought it was pointless?

[Martha McCully - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi there, since you were born and raised in Venice this may be old hat for you, it's new to me. I think the point is to enjoy a new experience and to share it. Thanks for reading to the end!

[fixitfakeitcreateit]

I'm an Angeleno born and raised. I love Venice Beach, South Bay, Santa Monica, Palm, Fox Hills Century City, Mid City/Wilshire, Los Feliz, Silver Lake,Lucy Florence Coffee shop in Leimert Park, Hollywood, shopping Downtown, having lunch at the 3rd Street Promenade, Koo Koo Roos loveit, Jerry's Deli, Roscoes Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood. Watching USC footaball at the colisuem Basically, I love my city. I love LA. And if your tired of the traffic...do something about it and fight for better transportation and light rail in your community.

[simplysimon2]

I visited Venice Beach in the mid 70's and it was entirely different than it is now (surprise?). Back then there were a lot of old Jews schmoozing on the "boardwalk". It reminded me of Coney Island in the 50's, quiet and safe, where my grandmother lived and she refused to leave the harsh winters because of her friends who treated her like a person and not an indentured, free-babysitter. It cost her some of her life but, when I discovered Venice, I wish Grandma Tsipy would have heard of it. She could have been transplanted to a sunnier clime and immediately accepted and never miss a beat.

There is an accurate movie time capsule of that era in "Harry and Tonto"(1974) where Art Carney journeys from Manhattan to Venice Beach and finds a Coney Island on the Pacific. Paradise!

[DogTown]

You must have never been there, because you have no idea wht you are talking about?

[DubtingThomas]

I began living in Venice, a block from the beach, in 1972. I watched with some horror the creeping commercialization of the Boardwalk. followed by the creeping influx of Marina del Rey people, who were regarded with some scorn, which in turn was followed by gentrification. It got to a point in the '90s that I no longer walked on the Boardwalk, using the Speedway instead. Finally, with an opportunity to move into a small home, after 24 years, I said goodbye to Venice in 1996. The life Martha McCully describes is part of what led me to become disenchanted with Venice.

[DogTown]

OLD VENICE ROCKS!

AWOL!

[optimage]

My condolences. You missed out on the tripling of real estate prices.

[Tulka2]

Battery Park before the fall? =ed Venice boardwalk, but more children (in nyc) and less (but not by much) skin.