3.5 /5
This is a lowest-common denominator film, full of swearing, etc., but is also very funny. I found it to be the funniest film that I have seen in a while - funnier than Wedding Crashers.
Steve Carrell (42) is Andy, a 40 year-old guy who works in an electronics store, who lives alone and who is very much like the nerd Comic Book guy. He has a huge collection of action figures that are still in their original packaging, paints minature action figures, and plays gladiator-type video games. He sort of gave up on women after a few failed relationships.
Steve's co-workers figure out that he is a virgin and set out to help him get over it. Meanwhile, he meets up with Trish (45 year-old Catherine Keener, playing a 40 year-old), a businesswoman from across the street, who he really, really likes. At the same time, other ladies come into his life, in ways that are not too terribly convincing, but with hilarious consequences. During one lunch hour, they convince him to join them for what turns out to be a speed dating club. Of course, he meets nothing but misfits while one of his co-workers meets an ex who he is still hung up on.
In one scene, he goes for a hot wax to remove his chest hair. There's no special effects here, they really do rip out his hair and it's both painful and funny to watch.
His relationship with Trish is not totally honest, however, as she doesn't know that he is a virgin! Of course, along the way, she thinks he's some kind of deviant.
When you scrape away all the crudeness, this film does have enough of heart to make you not feel like you've watched something totally juvenille.
The acting is solid all aroud. Some of the scenes are a little unconvincing, like the woman who drives home from the bar (Leslie Mann), and the woman who works in the book store (Elizabeth Banks, Spider-Man 2's Miss Brant), and, not the least unconvincing, the boss at the electronics store (Jane Lynch, The Fugitive, The Aviator.) The 40 Year-old Virgin isn't a film to take the whole family to, but it will be popular among a lot of people.
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Article comments
1 - RJ
I'm eager to see this movie. Steve Carrell is a pretty funny dude...
2 - Triniman
Believe it or not, but this was my first exposure to Steve Carrell, and not only is he funny, but he is so in subtle ways. He doesn't have to hammer you over your head with his comedic moments.
3 - Eric Berlin
Carell continues to knock the ball out of the park in every role he takes on. He's really emerged as the #1 star to come out of the Daily Show stable.
Nice job on this, Triniman.
4 - Randy P/Tube Pinoy
Carrell is frickin' hilarious. He stole Anchorman completely. He was also hilarious in Bruce Almighty. I need to watch The Office.
5 - Eric Berlin
The Office was very promising in its first season. I hope it keeps the same level for Season Two.
6 - Triniman
Guess who is slated to Maxwell Smart in next year's Get Smart? Steve Carrell! One one hand I'm glad they didn't pick Jim Carey, Adam Sandler or Ben Stiller. On the other hand, I'm a little sick of old TV shows being remade, in order to draw the baby boomers back to the theatres. Is there really a lack of good scripts out there or are old TV shows less risky as subjects?
7 - Eric Berlin
I didn't know that, T, should be interesting.
And to answer your question: both, I suspect. Building around a "built-in audience" of some kind (any kind) makes for an easier greenlight.
8 - Triniman
I think you are right about that, Eric. But it also makes Hollywood look lazy! Still, Get Smart was a favorite of mine when I watched the reruns.
9 - Eric Berlin
Hollywood can care less if it looks lazy -- it's interested in one thing, and I think you can guess what that is!
10 - Scott
This was a fine, funny and even touching movie. I've been a Carrell fan since his Daily show days, Anchorman made me love him even more and now this just confirms him as a comedic genius. I want to see much more of him in the future.
This has been a great summer for R-rated comedies. Hopefully hollywood will take that sign and spit out more that are equally as funny as Wedding Crashers and this movie.
11 - Vince Chan
Carrell's great (first time I've seen him), Keener's hot (in that grand mother way?) If Carrell re-hashes the TV classic favourite of mine, Get Smart, I will definitely see that performance!
I do want to ask... what is with the Bollywood-esque dance sequence for the ending? The pakastani and indian jokes were a nice touch too (pardon me if I got the origin wrong).
I on the other hand wouldn't know if I would leave the bath tub scene at that moment!
12 - Eric Berlin
Grand mother or grandmother?
Big difference...
13 - Duane
Can Carrell even come close to capturing Don Adams in his role as Maxwell Smart? That is a tough act to follow.
14 - josh
Does anyone know the name of the rap song that is playing in the background when the guys are in the club in one of the earlier parts of the movie? It sounded crude and kind of good. Just wondering