An amiable romantic comedy.

Rating: 7/10 (24 February 2019)

Writer / star Jason Segel here gives himself a plum part as Peter Bretter, a composer who wastes his time doing music for a cheesy TV series. He was dating the female star of the series, the titular Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), but she has dumped him in favour of a tragically hip rock star, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). In order to try to get over the breakup, he takes a vacation to Hawaii - only to realize that Sarah & Aldous will be staying at the same hotel. The balance of Segels' story has him becoming attracted to the friendly hotel desk clerk (Mila Kunis), while doing his best to move on with his life.
The characters become more endearing as the story plays out, in what is typical but engaging fare for the Judd Apatow company. It has its fair share of raunchy gags (Segel, a braver man than I, actually opens and closes the film with some full frontal nudity) and silly moments. But, for the most part, it actually takes the tale fairly seriously, making its characters flawed and recognizably human, but still appealing, and not total cartoon caricatures. It seems to be built on a somewhat formulaic foundation, but at least it keeps its viewers watching and attentive.
Granted, a big part of the appeal is some gorgeous on-location shooting in Hawaii, which adds an exotic enticement to the proceedings. Along the way, there are some hilarious digs at 'C.S.I.' and David Caruso, and some priceless musical moments - "Dracula's Lament", "We've Got to Do Something", etc. And the gags continue during the closing credits, as one more shot is fired - this time, at 'Ghost Whisperer'.
Segel acquits himself nicely in the lead, but then so do many of the cast members. Bell and Kunis also look absolutely ravishing, needless to say. Brand is a hoot as the self-absorbed Snow. Co-stars include Bill Hader, Jack McBrayer, Liz Cackowski, Maria Thayer, Taylor Wily, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, and Da'Vone McDonald. The cameos in the TV-shows-within-the-film are a hoot. What's nice is that so many people here get a chance in the spotlight, with Segel and director Nicholas Stoller giving them some effective comic moments.
In general, this is not a genre that this viewer actively seeks out, but he heard some good word of mouth on this one, and he was glad that he gave it a try.
Seven out of 10.