Rating of
2/4
Review: This is 40
MikePA - wrote on 12/28/12
Being somewhat of a fan of Judd Apatow's previous directorial work (The 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People), it's upsetting to say that I was disappointed with This is 40. The film stars Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as a couple who come face-to-face with stress and difficult decisions when they both hit the age of 40. That's really it. First off, there aren't many laughs to be had here. There are plenty of chuckle-worthy moments peppered throughout, but nothing quite hilarious. Second, it's so damn long. I know, I know, Judd Apatow has some kind of strange proclivity for extending his comedies beyond the 2-hour mark, but when you're working with a story as slim as this there is no need for a film of such a long duration.
Fortunately, this isn't a legitimately bad film. There are some things to enjoy. Paul Rudd does what he does best and charms the hell out of you, as well as Leslie Mann. Megan Fox is in the film, and while she doesn't really do much, damn is she a great sight. Melissa McCarthy shows up in two scenes as a pissed off mother, and she delivers a good laugh or two.
Ultimately, this is just a group of talented actors working off of Apatow's most unremarkable screenplay to date. The lead couple lacks any decent qualities to make them likable as characters. They're whiny and annoying. Maybe 40-year-olds will find the film funny and effective because they can relate to it. Perhaps I'm not the target audience for this film. I don't know. But I wanted great characters and good laughs, and the outcome was very little of both.
2/4
