Classic comedy in the making - Segel & Apatow score with the sugar/salty combo

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2008)

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (2008) **** Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Jack McBrayer, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Maria Thayer, Liz Cackowski, Taylor Wily, Davon McDonald, Steve Landesberg, (Cameos: William Baldwin  as himself, Jason Bateman) Hysterically funny romantic comedy from Troupe Apatow (as in exec producer Judd, King of Contemporary Comedy) written and starring Segel as hopeless shlub Peter Bretter, a musical scorer musician wannabe, whose high-profile relationship with actress Sarah Marshall (Bell) ends in a crushing (and in all forms of the word, nakedly) break-up causing him to downward spiral in a sea of self-pity and woe. Prompted by his stepbrother (Hader lending able comic support) to vacation in Hawaii to forget his troubles, Peter only finds to his shock and dismay Sarah there with her current beau, deplorable rakish himbo Aldous Snow (riotous Brand, a true comic find this side of Sacha Baron Cohen), and into the arms of the resort's customer service personnel  namely Kunis (a truly good egg and engaging rom- com player). Hitting all its targets (Four words: Dracula musical with puppets) with parts salt and sugar - the winning combo in Hollywood today  Segel proves to have a fine ear for richly veined dialogue and situations in the self-depreciative mode; always a plus. Kudos to Apatow regs, the indispensable Rudd as a stoner surfing instructor and Hill, the resort's restaurant host whose ingratiating manner is wince-inducing hilarity. The funniest film this year; go see it!