The “R” rated comedy has made a big comeback in this decade. After Eddie Murphy’s departure from the genre to make more lucrative and vanilla, family films; audiences had to suffer most of the 90’s with watered-down “PG-13” comedy. Sure there were a few exceptions like Private Parts, There’s Something About Mary, and American Pie, but ever since the release of Wedding Crashers in 2002, movie studios have hit the accelerator on irreverent humor.
However as with any idea in Hollywood, once it becomes profitable, it becomes saturated. Studios have been churning out “R” rated comedies hoping to hit that Wedding Crashers formula again. Some have hit that mark like Waiting and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Others did not, like Beerfest.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall may not hit the dollar amount the studio would like, but no one will be forgetting this film anytime soon. It is a very funny film but there are no “memory burner” scenes. There’s no “hair gel incident,” or “apple pie,” moments. And to it's credit, this film does not need them. Great writing and genuine uncomfortable moments is what audiences will take away from this comedy.
Segal, who is also the writer of this film, is most famous for his role as Marshall Eriksen on the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." Segal plays Peter Bretter, a moderately successful and very unsatisfied musical composer for a crime-scene TV drama ingeniously titled "Crime Scene." His girlfriend is Sarah Marshall, played by Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars," "Heroes"), who is the Hollywood “it” girl and the star of the show Peter works on. Very early in the film, Sarah shocks Peter by dumping him for a MTV “flavor of the week” rock star. Devastated, Peter consoles his stepbrother Brian, played by Bill Hader ("Saturday Night Live," Superbad), and decides to take a trip to Hawaii to clear his head. However unbeknownst to him, Sarah and new boy-toy rock star Aldous Snow, (played brilliantly by Britain’s Russell Brand), are staying at the same hotel. There, Peter meets front desk clerk Rachel, (Mila Kunis; "That 70’s Show," "Family Guy"), who tries to help Peter through his broken heart and unfulfilled goals.
As you just read from the synopsis, this film’s story is as weak as a Baked Lays going through some double-whipped dip. However the great thing about a comedy is that story premise hardly ever matters. It’s just a vehicle to set up the comedy, which means the writing has to be good. And it is in the film. Segal has great comedic timing and Kunis has been hiding some really good acting talent behind her sitcom and voice-over roles. Russell Brand, who is not well known in the U.S., plays a surprisingly deeper character than you would expect. Most comedies would just treat a character like Aldous Snow as an over the top, exaggerated English rocker without any real personality or scruples. And they would have gotten away with it, but in Forgetting Sarah Marshall the bad guy who broke up the young and in love couple is not all bad. Even though Brand plays the character like a twisted recipe of part Johnny Depp, part Mick Jagger, and a dash of Rico Suave, you actually end up liking him by the end of the film. Brand has that great, dry British humor where almost anything he says can be funny without really trying.
A great supporting cast which includes the always funny no matter what, Paul Rudd (40-Year-Old Virgin, Anchorman) and new comer Jack McBrayer ("30 Rock"), help move the sometimes stagnate story along. Some of the funniest scenes in the movie are actually the snippets of the faux TV series "Crime Scene." It parodies shows like "CSI" and "Law and Order" perfectly with overindulgent dialogue and blatant overacting.
Overall, the film may be viewed a little long winded but it actually fits all of the angst that Peter is going through perfectly. The writing is outstanding and there are plenty of laughs throughout. This film will be one of those classic comedies that did not break the box office, but will undoubtedly be discovered as genius when replayed over and over again on cable.
Story: 6.5
Acting: 8.5
Writing: 8.5
Captivation: 7.5
Replay Value: 8.5
Total Score: 7.9
Member of the Boxxet Network of Blogs, Videos and Photos
