| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A- |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
B |
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Less Laughs, More Insight
by Jersey Joe (movies profile)
Oct 15, 2007
10
of
11 people found this review helpful
"Knocked Up" is a tough film to review. When Judd Apatow makes a film that includes Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd in the cast, one must expect a funny, albeit vulgar comedy. In that regard the film disappoints. There are not nearly as many funny moments in "Knocked Up" as we saw in "40 Year Old Virigin."
However, as film that examines relationships and the fear of new parenthood, the film is surprisingly good.
Rogen plays Ben Stone, a nice enough guy who is essentially a loser. He has no job and hangs out with his other stoner friends in a home they all share. His quirky friends provide some laughs, but also represent his youthful, irresponsible side.
Katherine Heigl plays Allison, who is attractive and career minded; almost the complete opposite of Ben. She goes out to celebrate a promotion and ends up drunk and hooked up with Ben. That's where the story would normally end, but biology kicks in and as the title implies, Allison is pregnant.
The rest of the film is about what happens to indivisuals when they become part of a couple. This plays out in the relationship between Allison and Ben and the relationship between Allison's sister (Leslie Mann) and her husband (Paul Rudd). We see how men and women have different perspectives on life that create different expectations which, in turn, create friction.
The acting in this film is superb. Rogen is great as the lovable shlub of a guy who realizes he is capapble of being much more than he is (both professionally and persoanlly). Katehrine Heigl is wonderfully vunerable as someone who is very much in control of herself until an uncontrollable situation arises. She is afraid and angry and at the same time wishing she could overcome both of those traits to be the person she really wants to be. Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd are great as the couple that has been together for ten years and is starting to cope with having grown very used to each other.
Ben's friends, like the friends in "40 Year Old Virigin" are likable knuckleheads. They provide most of the levity in the film, just as a guy's buddies provide the levity in his life.
"Knocked Up" has the heart of "40 Year Old Virign" without the over the top laughs. It doesn't need those. It is a good film without the guffaws. But be warned, if you're looking for absolute hilarity, you might be disappointed. |
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