I resisted going to see “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” when it first opened because I got the impression from the previews that it’s a stupid comedy. By stupid I mean a movie that develops its characters through physical comedy – having them do things that result in a lot of bumping into objects and falling down. And the obnoxious billboards around town didn’t do much to alleviate that impression. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when I saw “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” I should have realized that a movie associated with Judd Apatow (he’s a producer) would be a combination of romantic comedy (for females) and raunchy teen comedy (for males), much like Apatow’s “Knocked Up.” However, Jason Segel’s script leans more heavily toward romantic comedy than Apatow’s and for me, provides a more satisfying conclusion.
Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is a composer for a popular TV program in which the love of his life, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), stars. When Sarah announces that she is leaving him for a British rock star, he is devastated. After trying and failing to get over Sarah in Los Angeles, Peter is convinced by his stepbrother (Bill Hader) to get away. Unfortunately, the hotel he chooses in Hawaii is also where Sarah and her new boyfriend are staying. Peter finds an ally in attractive hotel employee Rachel (Mila Kunis), who sympathizes with his plight and offers support.
First-time director Nicholas Stoller balances the romance and raunchiness so there are no gross-out moments. There’s romance and there are sex jokes, but none that dwell in the gutter. And surprisingly, the characters in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” are well developed. Segel’s Peter is a likable guy, but a slob. He lives on his couch, eats huge bowls of Fruit Loops, and doesn’t pick up after himself. Sarah isn’t portrayed as the bitch who dumps our hero, but as a conflicted woman who, after five years in a relationship, decides that she wants something more. Mila Kunis lights up the screen as the bubbly Rachel, but there’s more to her character than a beautiful face. Her anger issues become all too evident when she confronts her ex. Stoller takes too much time getting Peter to Hawaii, but once he’s there, the movie takes off. (4/27/08)
1 comment:
I was pleasantly surprised as well, and besides actually caring about the main storyline, I found myself amused by the whole little world that Segel created. Specifically, I really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters. Between the "local Hawaiians" (the staffer who had Peter 'help'with the luau) and the "mainlanders" (Paul Rudd's 'hakuna matata' surf instructor and Jonah Hill's stalker-ly obsessed hotel waiter) the supporting staff was a group of well thought out, fun characters. My only complaint was that the movie felt a little long for what it was, but overall, a surprisingly fun romantic comedy.
Post a Comment