This Is 40

Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, Jason Segel, Robert Smigel, Megan Fox, Charlyne Yi, Michael Ian Black, Chris O'Dowd, Lena Dunham, Tatum O'Neal, Melissa McCarthy
Directed by: Judd Apatow
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
2012

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A couple struggle with turning 40.

Review:

Tim: I liked (but didn't love) Knocked Up, so I suppose I was fairly excited to see this sort-of sequel. We pick up two supporting characters from that film, and watch as they get their own movie. It's a clever idea, and for the most part, it works. This is a pretty funny movie that depicts relationships in a more realistic light (it's not all rainbows and puppy dogs). I liked that aspect of the film. While this film isn't quite as good as the movie that inspired it, it's still a pretty solid film.

The film works because we have this husband and wife, and watch as they struggle with turning forty. This is something many people can relate to (even those a decade away from turning forty themselves). Getting older is certainly no fun at all, and this movie demonstrates that it graphic detail. We watch as this couple deals with raising challenging children, with their own love life, with financial troubles, with in-law issues, with aging issues, and with all those curve balls life throws at you. It's incredibly overwhelming just to think about, let alone watch on screen. I was surprised how difficult this movie could be at times- it shows you that life can be very, very challenging, and as human beings, we have to cope with those setbacks and find a way to move on. I liked that this movie had some powerful messages. One of those is that life is really hard, and all you can do is your best. You're going to fail, time and again, and that's okay. You have to forgive yourself and put those failures behind you.

The cast is fairly strong. I really like both Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. There's something very relatable about them. They have chemistry together, and they just seem like a real couple. For that reason, we can laugh at them, cry with them, and firmly root for them to succeed and be happy. They seem like good people at heart, and so we forgive them when they do unlikable things. Rudd and Mann were certainly the right choices here. They have really good comedic timing, and delivered strong performances.

The supporting cast is good, too. I don't love Albert Brooks, but I thought he did a good job as Rudd's father. I do wish Brooks toned it down a bit, but he was mostly good. I loved seeing John Lithgow here. I feel like he's often overlooked in Hollywood, and he's such a strong actor. He added to the film. I love Jason Segel, and was really excited to see him here. I'm not a fan of Megan Fox, but she wasn't terrible in this film. It was fun seeing such a collection of various talent in this Judd Apatow movie.

I do like Apatow, and he has created some really funny movies. Sometimes I think he gets more credit than he deserves, and some of his films aren't as funny as people claim. This movie is good, and it did have a number of very funny scenes. There's something immediately humorous about Rudd and Mann being privately critical about their kids, or Melissa McCarthy just spewing out memorable one-liners. I would consider this one of Apatow's funnier films.

I really do like This Is 40. While I wouldn't consider it among the best of Apatow's films, it is a very solid entry in his resume. While the movie is certainly too long at 134 minutes, this is certainly a movie I would watch again.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Knocked Up, The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Funny People