Funny Bits, But No Classic

Rating: 6/10 (13 June 2007)

The most interesting lesson learned from Judd Apatow's "Knocked Up" is one about the statistics of a tomatometer. The film has scored 91% ripe tomatoes on Rotten Tomatoes, usually an indication that a movie is truly excellent. Films like "The Godfather" or "Casablanca" score 90% or more ripe tomatoes. However, the assumption that a high score guarantees a moving, enlightening cinematic experience is unfounded. What the 90% rating means is that most critics thought the movie was worth seeing, not necessarily that it was a superior film. This seems to be the case for "Knocked Up"a decidedly mediocre yet watchable movie with the good fortune of being wedged between releases of "Spiderman 3" and "The Transformers" and its ilk so that it can cash in on whatever genre elements that separate it from those tiresome actioners. In short, despite its high ratings, critics thought the film was decent (probably because they're tired of watching action movies based on children's' cartoons) but not excellent.
"Knocked Up" is exactly this. This highly formulaic frat-boy romantic comedy has some well drawn moments, but ultimately it's an all quite forgettable tale of boy meets girl, loses girl, grows up, gets girl back. Although, one thing that is not entirely forgettable is the tenuous credibility of the film's premise, which involves a coupling of the most unlikely pair of people, a peculiar glossing over of character motivations (why no abortion?), and an affirmation of traditional family structures and value of conformity worthy of a TV sitcom.
Also, with the exception of a few truly inspired moments, the comedy of "Knocked Up" relies on crude, sophomoric potty humor that has found broad acceptance thanks to films and TV shows such as "American Pie" and "South Park." Although it should be noted that gross-out comedies were just as prominent in the 1980s ("Porky's," "Caddyshack"), which makes their popularity now a bit confounding considering how stale the jokes have become by now. Granted the gags of "Knocked Up" are mostly verbal not graphic and a predicated on the embarrassment of social awkwardness rather than grossness for its own sake. In Apatow's film the characters refer to their antics with frankness, as when they describe how they've managed to pass on pink eye to nearly everyone in the household via flatulence. Fortunately, Apatow spares us an explicit depiction. Unfortunately, either way (verbal or graphic) the gag isn't funny. Certainly some audience members will get a chuckle out of their repartee because they can identify with the characters, situation, and/or the obsession with bodily functions from their own childhood. But the humor in farting on someone's pillow is for 10 year olds. And a movie about a couple dealing with an unwanted pregnancy is for adults. So, although it's not very upsetting that some guys in the audience might see this joke on the screen and reminisce about a more carefree time in their lives, it is disturbing that professional filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors see fit to include such banality in their movies rather than demanding higher standards of wit and insight from each other and themselves. It's troubling to consider how much money these people spent (and how much they've made) making this movie when you they felt the need to include fart jokes in it. I for one could do better. I guess a lot of other people could too.
But perhaps most confounding of all is the few moments of wit and satire that make the film worth seeing: why didn't the makers insist on being clever throughout the movie. For example, in an interview with her boss Katherine Heigl's character is promoted to on-camera interviewer to the consternation of one of her female colleague. Her pointed off-hand mumblings ("Yeah, I was so surprised too.") are precious, as are her boss's gentle but persistent suggestions about "tightening up." Scenes like these, which are too few and far between in a two hour plus comedy, make this a decent, watchable movie. But, don't be fooled by all those shiny red tomatoes. It's no "Casablanca."