At forty years old, Andy (Carell) has got his life just how he wants it. He has a decent job, his hobbies and his TV shows making his life as organised as anyone s could be. But when Andy inadvertently starts spending more time with David (Judd), Jay (Malco) and Cal (Rogen) from work, they discover that he is missing something monumental from his life and they just can t believe it.
With an abundance of gross-out and spoof comedies dominating Hollywood s comedic out over the past few years, there has been very few comedy movies that really hit the mark, The 40 Year-Old Virgin changes all of that.
Hollywood s main problem is that it finds a formula and sticks to it until it can bleed it dry. This is what has happened to comedy over the past ten years.
Both gross-out and spoof comedies have been flogged to death by the all of the major studios. There have been some shining lights however and this has been the output of new generation of comedic talents. One of those comedians is Steve Carell.
Better known for his supporting roles in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy , Bruce Almighty and the American version of The Office , Carell finally gets his chance to shine in a lead role that he really makes his own. As innocent Andy, he is still living this life like he is in his late teens. Obsessed with video games, comics and collectables, his life has become a route after suffering years of rejection and embarrassing moments while trying to get closer to the fairer sex.
He has given up on women and because of that sex. Carell plays the role superbly, making Andy that nice guy that women never notice and not the geek that could be so easily ridiculed. This fact makes both the character and, as a result of this, the movie a real success.
What all great comedies need is a collection of supporting characters to play on the lead s predicament. Paul Rudd, Romany Malco and Seth Rogen are excellent as Andy s work colleagues David, Jay and Cal. Each of them has different advice on how Andy should approach women and the performance of each of these actors brings these characters to life.
David is man hurt by a failed love, who has differing reactions to women depending on how he is remembering his relationship with his ex. Jay is the ladies man, who tries to teach Andy how to pick up the easy women. Cal is the everyman who tries to give Andy advice on how to actually speak to women.
These three performances are important to the film as they drive Andy s character into most of his misadventures with the opposite sex.
The female support is also good. Catherine Keener is a good as ever as Trish, the ideal woman for Andy, whom he just happens to be too scared to talk to.
Elizabeth Banks plays Beth, the girl Cal pushes him towards and the one who might just push him a little too far. Leslie Mann is Nicky, a woman who really can t handle her drink and definitely someone who wouldn t accept a ride from. Lastly we have Jane Lynch as Andy boss Paula, who finds his predicament intriguing.
What sets the film apart from most other comedies that have graced the silver screen over the last few years is the quality of the laughs. This is a movie that will have you giggling constantly and laughing out on many occasions. With hit after hit after hit, there are very few misses, even when the film slows down slightly towards the end.
The 40 Year-Old Virgin is a hilarious movie with a good story and extremely likable and funny characters. While it may be slightly over long, there are more than enough laughs to captivate you throughout. Steve Carell is a comedic superstar in the making.
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented extremely well.
Watch the first read through of the poker, sex talk scene featuring Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco and Seth Rogen.
Co-writer and director Judd Apatow, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco and Seth Rogen gather to talk about the movie and ask each other questions.
Director Judd Apatow and stars Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen talk about the tone of the movie, the character, been and working with first time director, improv and the infamous hot wax scene.
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