Spring Break
It Won't Be Easy To Forget 'Sarah Marshall'
Movie Review
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Focus
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the latest in the "from the guys who brought you 'Superbad'" line of films, proves one thing certain - those "guys" definitely know what they're doing when it comes to making comedies.
The movie is great and genuinely funny, and follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. So what's the secret that keeps these films afloat and separated from other crude, R-rated films? Why, great actors, smart writing and producer Judd Apatow's touch, of course.
Although there have been some rough spots in Apatow's resume (looking at you, "Kicking and Screaming" and "Drillbit Taylor"), for the most part his record is immaculate. From "Anchorman" to "Walk Hard" and "Superbad," the man is the current king of comedy, and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" only further displays it.
The story revolves around Peter Bretter, played here by Jason Segel who also wrote the film, a TV soundtrack composer who's heart was broken by TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall ("Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell).
Unable to deal with his angst, Peter decides to escape everyday life with a trip to a Hawaii where his ex just happens to be vacationing … with her new rockstar boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Obviously, the situation is a nightmare - that is until Peter meets a hotel employee, Rachel, played by the beautiful Mila Kunis ("That 70s Show").
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is worth seeing for Brand alone - he absolutely steals the show. The little-known British actor plays without a doubt, one of the best characters in any Apatow flick, as the self-centered, very confident, sex-driven rocker.
One scene finds Matthew the waiter (Jonah Hill) asking Brand if he had received his demo, and Brand replies, "I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life."
Director Nicholas Stoller makes his directorial debut with "Sarah Marshall" and does a great job of it. The film is well-put-together, especially in utilizing flashbacks Segel has when comparing the bad memories of Bell to the present good events happening with Kunis. These juxtapositions really help on character development, and it's the fleshed out characters that really move this film along.
The story is nothing revolutionary, yet it's still endearing. You can pretty much predict the end without even seeing the trailer, but hey, what movie is original these days anyway?
What is revolutionary, for an Apatow film at least, is the inclusion of stronger female roles. While most of the film Segel is looking pathetic or making a fool of himself, Bell is dominant - cold at first, but then she develops some emotions later on - and Kunis - who seems very real throughout - lights up the screen.
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is great fun, witty and has a flaccid penis in multiple scenes. What else could you ask for in an Apatow production?
Contact Stephen Ortiz at Stephen.Ortiz@UConn.edu.
The movie is great and genuinely funny, and follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. So what's the secret that keeps these films afloat and separated from other crude, R-rated films? Why, great actors, smart writing and producer Judd Apatow's touch, of course.
Although there have been some rough spots in Apatow's resume (looking at you, "Kicking and Screaming" and "Drillbit Taylor"), for the most part his record is immaculate. From "Anchorman" to "Walk Hard" and "Superbad," the man is the current king of comedy, and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" only further displays it.
The story revolves around Peter Bretter, played here by Jason Segel who also wrote the film, a TV soundtrack composer who's heart was broken by TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall ("Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell).
Unable to deal with his angst, Peter decides to escape everyday life with a trip to a Hawaii where his ex just happens to be vacationing … with her new rockstar boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Obviously, the situation is a nightmare - that is until Peter meets a hotel employee, Rachel, played by the beautiful Mila Kunis ("That 70s Show").
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is worth seeing for Brand alone - he absolutely steals the show. The little-known British actor plays without a doubt, one of the best characters in any Apatow flick, as the self-centered, very confident, sex-driven rocker.
One scene finds Matthew the waiter (Jonah Hill) asking Brand if he had received his demo, and Brand replies, "I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life."
Director Nicholas Stoller makes his directorial debut with "Sarah Marshall" and does a great job of it. The film is well-put-together, especially in utilizing flashbacks Segel has when comparing the bad memories of Bell to the present good events happening with Kunis. These juxtapositions really help on character development, and it's the fleshed out characters that really move this film along.
The story is nothing revolutionary, yet it's still endearing. You can pretty much predict the end without even seeing the trailer, but hey, what movie is original these days anyway?
What is revolutionary, for an Apatow film at least, is the inclusion of stronger female roles. While most of the film Segel is looking pathetic or making a fool of himself, Bell is dominant - cold at first, but then she develops some emotions later on - and Kunis - who seems very real throughout - lights up the screen.
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is great fun, witty and has a flaccid penis in multiple scenes. What else could you ask for in an Apatow production?
Contact Stephen Ortiz at Stephen.Ortiz@UConn.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mike B.
posted 4/23/08 @ 11:40 AM EST
Idiot. You didn't even mention 2 of Apatow's best movies ("Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"). "Superbad" was actually written by Seth Rogan and his friend when they were teenagers. (Continued…)
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