Judd Apatow is one of my preferred comic writer/directors. He is able to combine gross out humor with stories that have heart and substance. His style reminds me of Director John Hughes’ style from the 80’’s. Instead of finding comedy with teenage angst he finds it in mid-life crisises and ennui. I consider ‘The 40 year old Virgin’ and ‘Knocked Up’ to be two of the best comedies produced in the last decade, both by Apatow. He is able to examine the mundane and make us laugh and appreciate what’s right in front of us. He also helped launch the careers of people like Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill. ‘This is 40’ is definitely an Apatow film, but he is more focused on the heart than the comedy (not to say there aren’t several Apatow moments in the film, it just has a more somber tone than his other films (Funny people may be the exception).
‘This is 40’ is a “sort of sequel” to ‘Knocked-up’. Pete and Deb, the bickering married couple from that film, take center stage in this one. There is really no other connection or reference to ‘Knocked up’ other than that. It takes place 5 years later as both of them are turning 40 (Deb still insists she is 38) and coming to grips with the difficulties of marriage and family life. This is an examination of the reality of marriage that is rarely told in the story books. How does love survive when the passion fades, and the bills mount, and the kids enter adolescence? Can you truly feel passionate about someone who has no problems asking you to examine their rectum or is able to carry on a conversation with you while you are sitting on the toilet? We laugh at these scenes while at the same time realizing how hard it is to keep the flame going when they know about that side of each other. We all strive for closeness, but is it possible to be too close and still keep the flame of love alive?
It’s not all seriousness, and Apatow is a master at finding the hilarity in supporting characters. Jason Segal plays Deb’s personal trainer Jason. He’s that guy all men hate as you know he just does his job to try and hit on women, and probably yours. For some reason, women always seem completely unaware of their intentions. Jason Smigel plays Pete’s equally miserably married confidante Barry. They bond over cycling and coffee shops, continually discussing how rough their marriages are. And then there is Deb’s lead sales girl in her boutique store, played by Megan Fox. Who knew that Megan Fox had comic timing? I have never been a fan of hers, but she was actually very funny in this. I have new respect.
I give Apatow credit as it is difficult to find comedy in such an over worked premise as a bored married couple. A lot of the film works because of the quality of the actors, but you can’t deny Apatow’s talent at seeing the humor in tedium. Everyday things that we would find annoying and frustrating in everyday life, we laugh at endlessly here. Who would have thought a family’s failing business and the prospect of losing their house could be funny? Somehow Apatow finds the humor.
This is a quality movie, but definitely not one of Apatow’s best. Witty and insightful, but somehow still missing the mark that would make it a classic movie like ’40 year old Virgin’. This would be a good date movie for married couples. It reminds us that, while passion is important, it is only part of what love is about and how important family is in surviving life’s struggles. No matter how frustrated you may be with your life.
I give this film ** 1/2 stars
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