I’m at the Midwestern premiere of “Friendship,” and I’m struggling to find a seat. The Michigan Theater’s cavernous main auditorium is packed with moviegoers buzzing with excited energy. As I pick my way through the crowd, I double-check my ticket. “Am I in the right spot?” I am. I shrug. People are more excited about “Friendship” than I expected.

I hadn’t found the film’s early promo particularly compelling. Billed as a sparse buddy comedy with a shot-on-film “indie” look, “Friendship” seems like the most basic sort of A24 film. There was only one thing motivating me to actually go watch it: Tim Robinson (“An American Pickle”). A huge figure in the sketch comedy world, Robinson is a pioneer of surreal, self-flagellating comedy. Although he’s got two highly acclaimed TV shows unde

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