This Is 40: Full Review

This Is 40 - (December 21, 2012): R

Distributor: Universal Pictures
      
Opening Weekend Box Office: #3 with $11,579,175

Domestic Box Office Gross to-date: $23,930,290

Gross Revenue: $23,930,290

Production Budget: $35 million

Director: Judd Apatow
 
Though there is no shortage of talented comedy actresses in Hollywood, few would dispute crowning Leslie Mann as the reigning queen of comedy films, and after the success of her collaborations with husband Judd Apatow, including Knocked Up and Funny People, upcoming holiday release This Is 40 promised some big laughs.  Mann’s onscreen relationship with Paul Rudd was one of the most memorable components of Knocked Up, so a return to that dynamic was certainly going to resonate with fans, while the mid-life crisis angle of the narrative was sure to draw the attention of some mature demographics.  With competing releases like The Hobbit, Jack Reacher, Les Misérables, and Django Unchained, a beefy box office receipt was a bit of a tall order for Judd Apatow’s newest comedy, but a wide array of star power was sure to draw some attention.  Personally, I was rather confused by the inclusion of Megan Fox; the young actress certainly hasn’t proven a deep acting talent in the past, and with so many comedy heavyweights in this cast, there was no way she was going to be able to get away with simply functioning as eye candy…she was definitely going to have to step up.  As the only true comedy currently inhabiting theaters, there was undoubtedly going to be an audience for This Is 40, which certainly had the potential to meet and exceed expectations, all while hopefully delivering some of the biggest laughs of the year.

Set five years after the events of Knocked Up, This Is 40 finds combative couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) on the eve of their shared 40^th-birthday week, with Debbie especially lamenting the upcoming milestone amidst the pressure of both their lives.  Despite the continuous encouragement of her personal trainer, Jason (Jason Segel), Debbie fears a waning level of desirability, all while struggling to repair a relationship with her absentee father, Oliver (John Lithgow), and locate missing funds from her boutique with the help of employees Jodi (Charlyne Yi) and Desi (Megan Fox).  Pete is also struggling, as his independent record label is failing, his employees Cat (Lena Dunham) and Ronnie (Chris O’Dowd) are virtually useless, and his mooching father, Larry (Albert Brooks), continually uses guilt to borrow money.  Add to the equation the adolescent problems of their two daughters, Charlotte and Sadie (Iris and Maude Apatow), the latter of whom is feuding with a boy from school and drawing the ire of a confrontational soccer mom, Catherine (Melissa McCarthy), and the couple is drawing dangerously close to a breaking-point.  Stressful environment aside, Pete and Debbie must find a way to move past their problems, rediscover the passion of their relationship, and prepare to embark on the next stage of their lives together.

To call This Is 40 “funny” is a dramatic understatement, because between the dialogue, characters, and acting, this clever narrative hits all marks and delivers non-stop laughs that outperform nearly every comedy film that has hit theaters in the past decade.  Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd each have their shining moments individually, but together the two have a truly impressive comedic chemistry, thereby adding reality to their relationship while also paving the way for some unbelievably hysterical scenarios.  And in terms of the supporting cast, every big name pulls their own weight and adds another enjoyable dimension to the film (the feud between Jason Segel and Chris O’Dowd was a riot), but the two standout performances belong to Melissa McCarthy and Megan Fox.  While it is no surprise that McCarthy ad-libbed some of the best lines throughout the film, I was absolutely shocked by the comedic timing showcased by Fox, especially when I stopped to consider the caliber of the  humorous thespians that surrounded her environment.  In the end, unless you are completely devoid of a sense of humor, you will find big laughs within This Is 40, the rare type of comedy that demands multiple viewings so you can catch and memorize all the stinging one-liners.

Because I enjoyed This Is 40 so much, I was pretty disappointed in the lukewarm critical reception, and though I can see validity in a few of the criticisms, I still believe that the film has received a bum rap that refuses to acknowledge some of the subtle brilliance that ultimately manifests.  At well over two hours, a level of personal fortitude is required for this comedy, and it certainly doesn’t help that narrative momentum stalls at a few notable points, especially when weighed against the numerous subplots that add to the chaotic tone.  For other critics, the multiple storylines were distracting and largely unresolved, but I found their presence a perfect illustration of the sometimes overbearing responsibilities that characterize this period of life, and because of that, this film carries a heavier reality and emotional weight than some of its counterparts.  And in between all the laughs, you will find some way to relate to the characters of Pete and Debbie and develop a personal stake in their plight; you feel their anger and despair, pick sides during their arguments, are happy to see them relax, and end up truly calmed by their heartwarming reconciliation.  So yes, there is a certain temporal cost and patience requirement to experiencing the full story told by This Is 40, but rest assured that you will be rewarded with memorable scenes, lovable characters, and near-non-stop hysterics.

Like I mentioned earlier in this review, in the wake of such heavy box office competition, it was unrealistic to expect an R-rated comedy to take the top spot, so a third place opening of just under $12 million is a pretty acceptable performance.  The ironic thing is that even though a case can be made for This Is 40 being Judd Apatow’s best movie, the clever comedy still represents the lowest opening for any of his directorial credits; I can only hope that unfortunate distinction doesn’t taint the film’s overall reputation.  When weighed against the modest production budget of $35 million, Universal shouldn’t worry about recovering its costs, especially when I expect positive word of mouth to help outshine the largely unfair mixed reviews.  Thankfully, a true comedic competitor is nowhere on the upcoming release horizon (trust me when I say that Parental Guidance doesn’t count), so the overall theatrical run for This Is 40 should be impressive.  To put it simply, I cannot emphasize enough just how much you will enjoy This Is 40, and I eagerly await the next project that will feature either Paul Rudd or Leslie Mann.

Overall Recommendation: Very High