This film addresses many social issues: sex, drugs, divorce, love, hate, change, money, etc. These were the aspects which made this film, as I said above, so well-rounded. Instead of Apatow focusing on one specific issue or quirk, (A 40 year old virgin for instance) he spends his film's time focusing on all the unglamorous issues normal/real people face day-to-day. I loved this, so brilliant!
Debbie and Pete have a very nice existence...on paper. They live in a very beautiful home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. They both drive nice, expensive cars and own their own businesses. People perceive them to be a happy, warm, loving family. However, the viewer sees behind the smoke and mirrors into their real life reality: frustration, annoyance, fear, sadness. So, instead of having a typical film family where everyone is happy and things are going favorably for them, this film shows the dirt and the ugly things that go on in their lives. This is a typical style for Apatow, but better achieved in this film. This Is 40 masters a montage sequence where both Pete and Debbie endured the rigorous medical exams associated with aging: mammogram, prostate exam, colonoscopy, etc. Although these sequences were a little "awkward" from a viewers stand point, these were the types of "real" which made this film so "smart".
I really felt that this film harnessed a more authentic feel without compromising the story-line. Even though this film didn't take the path of glamour and glitz, the story process and over-all journey of the characters was the same as if it had. Apatow delves deep into the mind of the "average" American and takes the time to think about these situations. Apatow did not forget about including the emotional sequences either.
Many sequences within this film deal with turmoil between Debbie and Pete, as well as with their children (Leslie Mann's and Judd Apatow's real life Children, Maude and Iris Apatow). Turmoil revolving around iPad's and WiFi, "Lost" and social media, smoking, and eating healthy, things which are so trivial in the grand scheme of things, but within this film were grounded in a more realistic Hollywood, these are the problems they face. Not everyone can be a prince or warrior, some of us-most of us- live in this real world existence full of trivial problems. What? I said Vanilla Latte you twit! So, from the "average Joe" to Judd Apatow, thank you for making "us" the protagonist worth following.
Not everything in this film was meant to be emotional, quite a bit of This Is 40 revolved around a comedic presence. Sometimes the hilarity was intentional (spoken aloud) within the film, and sometimes it was situational (the moment), and of course sometimes both. There was a scene where Debbie and Pete eat a bunch of pot brownies which led to some funny situational and intentional encounters. There were two scenes where Debbie and then Pete had exchanges with a nasty school mate of their daughter, these were situational, no jokes were spoken, but the sequence was hilarious in all its inappropriateness.
So, all in all this film was very entertaining. Now, having said that, if you are not a fan of Judd Apatow then you most likely will not enjoy this film, however, if you enjoy his work or don't mind it, I strongly feel that you will enjoy this film. It's scary and funny as to how real This Is 40 was.
Final Words: Medium-Large Popcorn.
Although this film is entertaining and realistic, if you do not like Apatow's style you most likely will not like This Is 40, however, I feel this is a very smart film to watch because it in fact is very real. Try it out, test the waters.
Until next time, happy viewing!
Review Rating : Based on popcorn sizes; small, medium, large, extra-large
When films get a snore zzz... worth skipping
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