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On the heels of "Wedding
Crashers," a film about 30 year old guys
who crash wedding receptions to score with women,
comes a raunchy sex comedy about a middle-aged
guy who has never scored with a chick, the titular
"virgin." Steve Carell is perfect in the lead.
It's hard to imagine anyone better suited for
the role because it's hard to imagine that Carell
is acting here. He's that good.
This is a film as jammed with sexual related
humor as any teen sex pic. The "American
Pie" films reinvigorated that genre and
the adults who grew up on films like "Meatballs"
and "Porky's" and "Private Lessons" and the
like seem eager to continue the genre. If Hollywood
keeps coming up with films this funny and outlandish,
then ticket-buyers will continue to stand in
line for them.
From the first scene, where Seth Rogen talks
about a "horse show" he saw down in Mexico,
you can tell the film is going to have no boundaries
when it comes to vulgar, verbal humor. And,
it's just damn funny. If you don't choke on
your Milk Duds at some point in this film, there's
something wrong with your sense of humor.
Carell is charming, daring, and has a fun
time with the role. He's perfect here and this
film is a vehicle perfectly suited for his talents.
The only thing missing here is a cameo from
Will Ferrell and, goddammit, that's something
that this film easily does without. Even the
ugly and untalented Catherine Kenner is tolerable
here. That's saying a lot.
But most of all, "The 40 Year Old Virgin"
has a nice heart and a sweet message without
being preachy or too contrived. And, best of
all, it has a climax that is really a climax!
Notes:
Also with Paul Rudd and Jane Lynch. Mo
Collins, Nancy Walls, Loudon Wainwright III
and Jazzmun all have small roles.
Directed by Judd Apatow, who also scripted
with Carell. The two as well as Rogen and others
also produced.
The chest waxing scene was real with Carell
actually submitting to the process with five
cameras rolling. The blood, as well, is real.
Viewed in Austin in September 2005.
Report Card
Script: A
Acting: A
Cinematography\Lighting: C
Special Effects\Make Up: A
Music: B-
Final Grade: A-
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