The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) -
Yes, the scene in which Andy's new found friends take him to get waxed to improve his chances with women was funny, but honestly, who could believe that leading man Steve Carell's chest hair really stopped so perfectly at his shoulder line and hadn't previously been shaped somehow? And does anyone else think that Steve is actually really sexy, because I definitely do.
I could easily associate with his character, technically I am still a 43 year old virgin, but that's only because I haven't slept with any women (I like men), but that wasn't why I felt I could understand him. I've always been a bit of a nerd myself, my 'Star Wars' (1977) figure collection had to be sold so I could move for a job I got and my current obsession is with Lego. It's nice to get lost in a hobby and partners can potentially get in the way of that. I could see how his focus just hadn't gone down that route yet.
I recognised his life as it was before and as it developed throughout the film from my own dating/sexual experiences and, not wanting to have too serious a moment, wondered whether we put too much pressure not only on sex, but on being in a relationship as well.
Andy was sweet and harming no one until his work colleagues took it upon themselves to get him laid, giving him all sorts of bad advice and "Support". If these films have taught us anything it would be not to listen to a word of it, but then the shenanigans and jokes wouldn't happen and the film would be 25 minutes long.
Sadly I couldn't tell what sort of character David, played by Paul Rudd, was meant to be. There was no real depth or shape to the role, which may sound like "Critic" syndrome or something, but it really does help to add more enjoyment to a film when the characters are well rounded, even if it is just meant to be frivolous fun. It was definitely not Paul's best character.
I also struggled to understand most of what Romany Malco as Jay was saying at all. It was like he was talking a different language entirely at some points.
So Seth Rogen in the role of Cal was the easiest one to connect with and the nicest of the bunch really. I've never been his biggest fan actually, but he delivered his part quite well.
The film also featured a lot of celebrities that weren't necessarily big at the time, but have since turned up everywhere. It was quite fun to play spot the cameo. I thought that Jonah Hill's was the best.
The story unfolded as I had expected with various dating mishaps and a genuine love interest that would potentially go wrong, because of all the bad advice.
Essentially the humour was quite vulgar and derogatory, showing up the idiocy of the stereotypical heterosexual man, but there were some other cute, funny and silly moments that shouldn't really be offensive to anyone. It seems strange to say it was "Of its time" only 20 years later, but I would hope that we really have come a long way since then. Even with that in mind I didn't feel that they were trying to be sexist and cause offence, but actually trying to show up those behaviours, so if you can just go with it, without taking it too seriously or melting like a snowflake, it wasn't so bad. One of those that will just take you away from reality for a while and it ended superbly with a great musical moment that should be the blueprint for the end of all films forever in my honest opinion.
It wasn't the sort of film that I could compare to other great cinematic experiences or comment on the outstanding lighting or scenery, because it wasn't trying to do that, but it made me laugh out loud more than once, which was nice.
703.01/1000.
Yes, the scene in which Andy's new found friends take him to get waxed to improve his chances with women was funny, but honestly, who could believe that leading man Steve Carell's chest hair really stopped so perfectly at his shoulder line and hadn't previously been shaped somehow? And does anyone else think that Steve is actually really sexy, because I definitely do.
I could easily associate with his character, technically I am still a 43 year old virgin, but that's only because I haven't slept with any women (I like men), but that wasn't why I felt I could understand him. I've always been a bit of a nerd myself, my 'Star Wars' (1977) figure collection had to be sold so I could move for a job I got and my current obsession is with Lego. It's nice to get lost in a hobby and partners can potentially get in the way of that. I could see how his focus just hadn't gone down that route yet.
I recognised his life as it was before and as it developed throughout the film from my own dating/sexual experiences and, not wanting to have too serious a moment, wondered whether we put too much pressure not only on sex, but on being in a relationship as well.
Andy was sweet and harming no one until his work colleagues took it upon themselves to get him laid, giving him all sorts of bad advice and "Support". If these films have taught us anything it would be not to listen to a word of it, but then the shenanigans and jokes wouldn't happen and the film would be 25 minutes long.
Sadly I couldn't tell what sort of character David, played by Paul Rudd, was meant to be. There was no real depth or shape to the role, which may sound like "Critic" syndrome or something, but it really does help to add more enjoyment to a film when the characters are well rounded, even if it is just meant to be frivolous fun. It was definitely not Paul's best character.
I also struggled to understand most of what Romany Malco as Jay was saying at all. It was like he was talking a different language entirely at some points.
So Seth Rogen in the role of Cal was the easiest one to connect with and the nicest of the bunch really. I've never been his biggest fan actually, but he delivered his part quite well.
The film also featured a lot of celebrities that weren't necessarily big at the time, but have since turned up everywhere. It was quite fun to play spot the cameo. I thought that Jonah Hill's was the best.
The story unfolded as I had expected with various dating mishaps and a genuine love interest that would potentially go wrong, because of all the bad advice.
Essentially the humour was quite vulgar and derogatory, showing up the idiocy of the stereotypical heterosexual man, but there were some other cute, funny and silly moments that shouldn't really be offensive to anyone. It seems strange to say it was "Of its time" only 20 years later, but I would hope that we really have come a long way since then. Even with that in mind I didn't feel that they were trying to be sexist and cause offence, but actually trying to show up those behaviours, so if you can just go with it, without taking it too seriously or melting like a snowflake, it wasn't so bad. One of those that will just take you away from reality for a while and it ended superbly with a great musical moment that should be the blueprint for the end of all films forever in my honest opinion.
It wasn't the sort of film that I could compare to other great cinematic experiences or comment on the outstanding lighting or scenery, because it wasn't trying to do that, but it made me laugh out loud more than once, which was nice.
703.01/1000.