From the perspective of the comedy genre, there is no other filmmaker in Hollywood that represents guaranteed critical and commercial success like Judd Apatow; and despite a few missteps, most projects fortunate enough to share his influence turn into comedic gold. And after so many standalone hits, fans had to be excited when it was first announced that some of Apatow’s beloved characters would be revisited in a “sort-of” sequel. With its surprisingly weighted blend of drama and humor, audiences responded very well to 2007’s Knocked Up, and even though they only represented a supporting subplot, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann stepped forward as undeniable scene-stealers, thereby sending expectations into the upper atmosphere for This Is 40. Playing for moviegoer attention during the coveted yet crowded Christmas Holiday release schedule, Universal Pictures made sure that the tremendous star power of their upcoming release was emphasized in promotions, and with other heavyweights like Jason Segel, Chris O’Dowd, and Melissa McCarthy, Apatow’s newest comedy was virtually guaranteed success. As a hardcore fan of both Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, I could not wait for This Is 40, and by all early appearances, it certainly didn’t look like I would be disappointed.
Clever, charming, poignant, and
utterly hysterical, This Is 40 is not only one of Judd Apatow’s best
films, but is also one of the funniest comedies to hit theaters in years.
Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd are absolutely brilliant together, adding depth to a
troubled relationship while also keeping humor levels high with stinging
one-liners and unrelenting cynicism. As for the supporting cast, the film
fires on all cylinders, whether that involves Albert Brooks as the mooching
parent, Melissa McCarthy as the confrontational schoolyard mother from hell, or
the surprisingly entertaining Megan Fox as the hard-partying employee…every
single one will have you rolling in the theater, and I will gladly return to
the theater a second time solely to memorize more quotes. To be fair,
there are some definitive moments when the energy of the narrative completely
stalls, and a few of the smaller subplots are left somewhat unresolved, but the
consistent laughs easily make those weaknesses forgivable. If you are
looking for some raunchy humor to keep a perpetual smile on your face
throughout the Holiday Season, look no farther than This Is 40, and
enjoy the edgy yet heartfelt take on a period of life that we will all face.
