Funny, raunchy, and witty

Rating: 8/10 (17 October 2007)

Writer and director Judd Apatow's follow-up to 2005's "The 40-Year Old Virgin" is, while not reaching the high earnestness of the film that basically launched Steve Carrell's leading man career, still a funny and affectionate movie.
Here, Katherine Heigl plays Alison Scott, a producer for E! who just got a promotion when the unexpected happens. He meets with Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), an indolent would-be internet businessman, in a bar. They get drunk, have sex, and before long she discovers she's pregnant.
Lead stars Rogen and Heigl play their roles with spot-on effectiveness and aplomb. Rogen doesn't have the charisma of Carrell, nor is his character as lovable as the latter's Andy, but he provides enough likability and immaturity to his Ben that it's not a chore at all to invest on his character emotionally at the point the film requires the audience to do so. Heigl exudes the class and professionalism required of her character, and she shares a genuine chemistry with Rogen.
All the while, Apatow's script and direction fill the film with plenty of raunchiness and wit. The comedy never fully resorts to mindless slapstick. The film does run a bit too long, but you might as well be amused you won't feel it. Besides, the movie overall feels sincere in addressing the issues it tackles it's easy not to feel dirty about it afterward.