This Is 40
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Headline:
Rudd and Mann Revive “Knocked Up” Roles in Raunchy Spinoff
When we first met Pete (Paul Rudd)
and Debbie (Leslie Mann) in Knocked Up (2007), the couple was in crisis, primarily
on account of her controlling behavior. She unreasonably suspected her husband of
cheating because of the odd hours he kept as a Rock and Roll talent scout.
Their subplot simply provided an
amusing diversion from a front story revolving around the farcical plight of a popular
TV host who ended-up impregnated by a slacker after a one-night stand. With
This Is 40, miserably-married Pete and Debbie have graduated from peripheral
characters to the protagonists of their own battle-of-the-sexes comedy.
At the point of departure, we find them
both on the verge of turning 40 years-old. She’s in denial, still trying to
pass for 38, and generally dreading the impending arrival of her birthday.
Meanwhile, he’s regressed
behaviorally, and routinely undermines any potential romantic mood by flaunting
unappetizing bodily functions ranging from flossing to flatulence. So, it comes
as no surprise that the spark has gone completely out of their relationship.
This sad state of affairs is established
during the picture’s opening tableaus when see how, between work and raising two
high-maintenance daughters (Maude and Iris Apatow), Pete and Debbie are too
drained by the end of the day to even think about lovemaking. In fact, the most
passion either exhibits is for their jobs.
He’s the CEO of a struggling, retro record
company representing obscure has-beens like Gram Parker, and she owns a trendy boutique
facing its own financial woes following embezzlement on the part of a trusted employee
(Megan Fox or Charlyne Yi). On top of the burning question “Can Pete and Debbie
get their groove back?” this raunchy sitcom ratchets up the tension around the
prospect of losing their multimillion-dollar McMansion.
It’s important to note that This Is
40 was written and directed by Judd Apatow, master of the shocksploitation
genre whose gross-out productions have basically glorified profanity, potty
humor, graphic sexuality and gratuitous nudity. This offering won’t disappoint
his diehard fans in that regard, and even has the rudiments of a plot for folks
whose IQs have reached room temperature.
A
midlife crisis comedy marking the milestone with a tribute to immaturity!
Very Good
(2.5 stars)
Rated R for sexuality, nudity, crude humor, drug use and pervasive
profanity
Running time: 134 minutes
Distributor: Universal
Pictures
To see a trailer for This
Is 40, visit:
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