Knocked Up is Knock Out

Rating: 10/10 (10 June 2007)

In an unexpectedly introspective scene in "Knocked Up", Pete (Paul Rudd) with Ben (Seth Rogen) watch Pete's daughters play with soap bubbles. Pete says," They (the girls) remind you that you will never be that happy again." Later in a heartbreaking moment Pete's wife Debbie (Leslie Mann) cries to Pete, "That is so mean! " Not to give anything way, it is not an indiscretion, but to Debbie it may as well have been a crippling betrayal. Even with the hysterical sexual humor and clever four letter rifts, "Knocked Up" has the striking background story of a marriage enduring and working out. Writer and Director Judd Apatow's "Knocked Up" is raucous and smart R-rated fun that is amazingly sweet and sentimental. "Knocked Up" is refreshingly entertaining, and a great movie. I guess this is not very surprising coming from Apatow, who also did "The 40 Year-Old Virgin".
A week ago I read a curious review by Carina Chocano of the L.A. Times. She contended that a failing of "Knocked Up" is that we never get to "wonder if maybe she (Katherine Heigl's Alison) might have done a little better." She makes a valid point. Katherine Heigl's Alison is drop dead gorgeous, smart, has a career, and she ends up having a costly one night stand with Seth Rogen's Ben. Charming as Rogen is, he is no Brad Pitteven if you are stone cold drunk. More on that later. Though a valid observation, "Knocked Up" is merely a movie, and a comedy at that. Whether a slacker, apparent loser guy with a big heart would really end up with the smart and stunningly gorgeous woman like Alison would really happen, seems beside the point. After all, this is a movie. So Seth Rogen plays Ben, a smart, funny slacker dude, who along with his roommates is starting up a "skin" website on the Internet. Yes, theirs is a noble ambition. Ben is basically an over grown adolescent living with a bunch of well intentioned, but lovable losers. On the other hand, Alison (Heigl) works as a production assistant for the "E!" channel. She lives with her sister Debbie (Mann), husband Pete (Rudd), and their two daughters to save money. Alison lives in the guest-house and helps out with the kids when she can. Alison is brilliant and ambitious career woman. The producers at "E!" promote Alison to on-camera interviewer. To celebrate Alison and Debbie have girls' night at a club. There Debbie meets Ben and his crew. Ben recovers from an out of body charming moment with Alison. When Debbie is called away on family emergency, Alison chooses to stay with Ben. They proceed to get drunk, but also seem to have a natural chemistry. Ben ends up back at Alison's guest-house. Ben even says to Alison, "You are a lot prettier than I am" However, before the throes of passion, Ben does not 'snap on' his protection. Consequently, 8 weeks later Alison is pregnant. So aside from learning to be parents, Ben and Alison must get to know each other, as well as something about themselves.
Here Apatow brilliantly contexts Debbie (Mann) and Pete's (Rudd) marriage. There is a lot of broadly leveled marital humor throughout, but the performances by Mann and Rudd are amazing and anchor the movie. Debbie lends insight on marriage and parenthood to Alison. Pete does the same with Ben. Debbie authentically anguishes over fears of being too old to be hot, as she comically lashes out at a night club doorman. When she feels betrayed by Pete, that is heart retching. Rudd is hilarious as he parties in Las Vegas with Ben. And he displays touching humility when Ben points out to him that Debbie loves him so much that she wants to spend all her time with him. "Knocked Up" is amazing in that it is completely funny throughout in poking fun at the stupid and selfish things we do. However, it also balances this with an appreciation for what is best and noble in people. Seth Rogen is completely charming and hilarious. He inhabits Ben with a gentle and caring soul. You clearly root for slacker Ben, to grow up and be the man he so avoids being. Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy) is going to be a big star. Stunningly beautiful she is so bold and vulnerable in playing Alison, the together gal suddenly facing single parenthood and raging hormones. There is a hysterical rant where she screams to Ben, "My vagina will never be the same" This serves as a reminder; "Knocked Up" is not for kids. However, for adults "Knocked Up" is hysterical comedy that is surprisingly sweet and poignant. Apatow's "Knocked Up" is awesome.