Forget Sarah Marshall? No Chance!
A film review of new Judd Apatow flick, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall scores number two at this week's box office and number one in Apatow films!
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Judd Apatow has done it again. The brilliant writer/producer behind comedic masterpieces such as Freaks and Geeks, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Super Bad scores another winner with this consistently funny and memorably quotable film that will go down as another comic classic.
Whose in It?
Apatow uses many of the same supporting cast members as his other movies including Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill and Bill Hader. All his lesser characters are well-suited to support the well-developed leading roles of Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Russell Brand.
What Happens?
Peter Bretter, played flawlessly by Jason Segel, takes a vacation to Hawaii in an attempt to forget his TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Bell). However, once there, he discovers Sarah is staying at the same resort with her new rock star English boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Brand). In between stalking the new couple and getting advice via web cam from level headed step brother, Brian (Hader), Peter makes friends with surf instructor, Chuck (Rudd), star obsessed waiter Matthew (Hill), helpful receptionist Rachel (Kunis) among many other comedic characters. This leads to loads of laughs as the audience follows Peter through his many misadventures. Whether he is falling down a rock cliff, putting on a rock musical puppet show or attempting to catch a wave, Peter captures the audience’s hearts with his humanistic portrayal of a broken-hearted man. Viewers watch Peter attempt to forget Sarah with several cocktails, riotous one-liners, and ridiculous screw-ups, all creating awkward yet hilarious situations that Apatow’s films are famous for.
Any Good?
All the actors put in an excellent performance. Bell plays the villainous ex-girlfriend to perfection while Kunis is made for the part of the sympathetic yet somewhat crazy new love interest. Segel, the writer of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, admits some of the scenes come from real life experiences such as the naked break-up and the puppet Dracula show. It is no wonder his portrayal of Peter is so bang on as the loveable emotional goof ball with a broken heart. However, it is the performance of Brand, as Aldous Snow, that makes the film. Aldous, a do-gooder musician and recovered alcoholic, flounces around half naked popping into several scenes with brilliant comedic timing. As the other man, the audience is supposed to hate him, but, as Peter points out, it’s impossible. His hilarious sexual movements, brilliant one-liners and tranquil reactions to everything around him contrast brilliantly with Peter’s awkward behaviour and emotionally charged situations.
The movie combines a sympathetic story line, funny awkward situations and a well-suited cast to create an unforgettable comedy. With Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Apatow can most certainly add yet another comical success to his ever-growing list of hilarious hits.
