"Knocked Up" is a delightful gem of comedy, romance and drama! One of the best films in years!

Rating: 10/10 (8 December 2007)

Judd Apatow, director of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", has finally achieved something many modern comedic filmmakers attempt, and fail at fully attaining... He has crafted a silly, fun, touching and heartwarming movie that manages to deliver the goods ten-fold, with a tale that is relevant and astonishingly well-made.
"Knocked Up" tells the story of rising career-woman Alison (played by the very charming Katherine Heigl), whom has just been informed by her superiors that she is ready to do on-camera work. (She currently works as an assistant at the E! channel) With her sister Debbie (played by Leslie Mann, in a cute but feisty performance) by her side, she celebrates by going clubbing and having a fun time, as many would. However, on this fateful night, she meets the goof-ball Ben (played with perfection by Seth Rogan), an obnoxious but good-hearted slacker with no job, who lives with four stoner friends.
Despite being polar opposites, the booze gets the better of them, and they end up in a one night stand. After having something of a falling out the next morning (Alison is slightly bothered by Ben's blunt, anything-goes attitude) they part ways.
Some weeks later, Alison realizes she is pregnant, and the movie is off. After finding out, Ben goes through the round of emotions... He is angry... He is nervous... He worries... But he decides that it is his responsibility to help Alison, and support her decision to keep the baby.
From there on in, it is a tale of companionship, romance and emotion... Ben and Alison slowly begin to fall in love with one another, but their circumstances (and misunderstandings) threaten to tear them apart. Interstingly, we also get a somewhat-similar parallel story happening, in which Debbie and her husband Pete (Paul Rudd), whom are married with children, go through a slew of emotions... the tolls of marriage looming over them.
What makes the film work for me, and so many others who love it, is the fact that it all feels real to a degree. Unlike other comedies, which will exaggerate situations and jokes, everything feels natural in this film. I could honestly see this very story happening in real life... (Which it did, in part... As portions of the film were based on the pregnancy of Leslie Mann, whom is married to writer/director Apatow.) And the superb acting doesn't hurt, either. Rogan is charming as Ben, and you can clearly see he is struggling with his decisions... He obviously has a fairly good life, living with his best friends, his only work being the current construction of a pseudo-pornographic website... But he has to grow up.
Heigle is also spectacular... She makes us feel for her in ways that many actresses cannot, and I suspect she is going to become one of the greatest young actresses of this time.
Mann and Rudd are both a wonderful addition to the story, giving an interesting perspective on the situation by people who have "been there, done that" with kids and pregnancy, and the Debbie/Alison relationship fits right in, not feeling forced.
And the comedy, though vulgar, is very funny, and never subtracts from the story.
Finally, before I wrap up, let me just say that the small, cameo-esquire rolls by a number of pop-culture icons (including Ryan Seacrest in a hilarious rant) and the addition of Harold Ramis as Ben's father were nice touches.
"Knocked Up" is one of those rare films that will have you doubled-over from laughter consistently, while at the same time (and I'm sorry, I know I sound stupid saying this) tugging at you inside. It is a sweet portrayal of responsibility and love, and a rare treat.
Plus, the hilarious gross-out and insult humor, and some brief instances of celebrity nudity (as seen on the guys' TV) doesn't hurt either.
10 out of 10