Hybrids, in their various forms, have been the cause of discussion in a great many fields, from the benefits of energy consumption in cars to the fears about what life forms scientists could create in the lab. One particular hybrid that has been overlooked has taken place in Hollywood, as over the past several years, there has been a crossbreeding of raunchy teen sex romps with romantic date movies. American Pie was the first time I noticed this as the first half seemed like Porky’s with all its sexual high jinks, but then it became Sleepless in Seattle as the guys went from wanting to get into girls’ pants to wanting to get into their hearts. It’s not clear whether this change is due to a seeping feminization of the culture members of the white male majority decry on right wing radio or a calculated business decision by studios and producers to create films that appeal to both sexes.
Judd Apatow’s directorial debut, The 40 Year-Old Virgin, belongs to this new genre and he returns to it with his latest romantic comedy, Knocked Up. Ben Stone is aptly named because he is a stoner with no job. He hasn’t figured out how to get paid for having a head full of pop culture and pot smoke. Alison Scott works at the E! Channel as an on-air personality interviewing celebrities. They meet at a club, and if allow yourself to believe the fantasy that not only would Alison let Ben chat her up and that no better-looking, more-viable man for dating/sex would approach someone as attractive as she is, the hard part is over.
You don’t have to be Mark Brazill to see that the movie covers extremely familiar material without adding anything new to it. It reuses the The Honeymooners template of average-looking chubby guy with delusions of grandeur and a heart of gold having a relationship with a great-looking woman who seems to have everything going for her, except for her choice in men. The relationship observations are unoriginal and weak. Women are moody bitches and men are lazy oafs.
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Article comments
1 - Donna A.
Good review. I am looking forward in seeing this. So far a lot of people have given this a thumbs up. I did like 40 Year Old Virgin. And I didn't think I would.
Donna A.
2 - El Bicho
Thanks, Donna.
3 - razie
it was stupid
4 - bjjones
Horrible, low-class movie...Lacks creativity (especially the dialogue). Can Hollywood not find any writers that write anything besides a script with every other word being the F-word? Very sad state if most of the critics out there find this to be a great movie. Where do they get their credentials anyway? I can see how very young, immature men would laugh out loud at this....Beyond that...Who really finds any value here?