One to remember

Rating: 8/10 (29 August 2010)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a consistently funny and at times utterly hilarious movie. Can't ask for much more than that from a comedy. That the movie has some heart to it is a nice little bonus. Yes the movie is somewhat raunchy but it's also kind of sweet. It's a delicate balance but one which works. Full credit to writer Jason Segel for pulling that off. Of course Segel is not just the movie's writer, he's also the star and his performance provides much of the film's ultimate appeal. He plays Peter Bretter, a composer for a popular CSI-style television show in which his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, stars. Unfortunately for Peter his carefree, blissful and somewhat sloth-like existence is about to be rudely interrupted. Sarah dumps him. Peter, to put it mildly, does not take the news well. You can't help but feel for the big lug and that's a feeling that stays with you throughout the whole movie. Segel has created a character who is so easy to like. But as much as you like him you can laugh at him too. And as the movie plays out there will certainly be plenty of opportunities to laugh at the expense of poor Peter.
After wallowing in post-breakup grief for a while Peter decides that perhaps a vacation will help him forget Sarah Marshall. So off to Hawaii he goes. Unfortunately it turns out that Sarah is vacationing at the same Hawaiian resort. With her new boyfriend, the pompous, narcissistic British rock star Aldous Snow. Awkward. But this situation is a potential comedy gold mine and hilarity most assuredly will ensue. Segel is great throughout but Russell Brand threatens to steal the show with his portrayal of Aldous. I am not really a fan of Brand at all but there is no denying he is perfect for this role. Mila Kunis has plenty of good moments in playing Rachel, the hotel receptionist who helps Peter break out of his funk. And the likes of Bill Hader, Jack McBrayer, Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd are on hand in smaller roles and each of them is very funny as well. Ironically, given the movie's title, the most forgettable character is Sarah Marshall. Kristen Bell plays the role and there's nothing wrong with her performance. Her character just never seems to get the big comedic moments. She's the straight woman who is largely left to react to all the antics going on around her.
Funny throughout the movie really kicks into high gear near the end. The big climactic scene is rather bizarre but delightfully so. It's a fitting cap to a thoroughly enjoyable movie-watching experience. The movie clocks in at nearly two hours which you might think would be a little long for a movie of this type. But the movie never really drags. The story keeps moving forward and there are plenty of moments of comic genius sprinkled all along the way. It's a movie that has big laughs and big heart. There's also room for some memorable songs which are all performed wonderfully and which provide some of the movie's funniest moments. Everything comes together quite well. This is a movie to remember, one which definitely leaves you with a smile on your face.