Where the f*&@$ did Jason Segel come from?

Rating: Null/10 (4 May 2008)

I heard about "Sarah Marshall" via preview, probably a day before it came out in theaters. I had also never even heard of Jason Segel, who plays the heartbroken ex boyfriend (it was a double shocker to find he also wrote the script). Nonetheless I did hear that Judd Apatow produced the film, so I decided to give it a try. After two hours in a theater I had the only Romantic Comedy (except for Love Actually, but that doesn't count in my book) that I could place on my list of "really good movies" (I use extremely eloquent language in my reviews, so if you are an inexperienced reader, move on to the next of the long line of comments made by wannabe movie producers/ directors/writers/actors/reviewers and those who just have no idea what the difference between Superbad and American Pie is (it's obviously the pie) (last parenthetical usage)). The ability of Apatow and crew to consistently make raunchy movies with poignant messages is unbelievable. As I thought, the plot was extremely run-of-the-mill (boy loses girl, boy finds other girl, boy has chance to get with sorry ex-girl, boy chooses newer girl), but I didn't give a spit (insert an "h" instead of the "p," a loophole I found years ago). This movie was filled with character depth only an acclaimed drama, not a teen shock comedy, would have. The tremendously believable acting in this hilarious film was the most surprising aspect, personally, and a breath of fresh air from some of the cartoonishly stupid movies that somehow are produced (e.g. anything those "Scary Movie" guys create). The parts where Jason Segel pathetically breaks down crying in a number of awkward circumstances (one being after sex with another woman) had flawless comedic timing, yet dramatic authenticity. A new brand of movies revealed itself to me. Overall, it's a great comedy that is not for the feint of heart (a lot of out-of-shape man penis), and it is a film that can (and should) be enjoyed by any adult... just give it a try.