Surprising Raunch-fest, Funny Movie

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2005)

I was able to see an advanced screening of this film last night. I was extremely surprised. Having spent the last two rainy Saturdays seeing "Wedding Crashers", this was a nice supplement to a summer of surprisingly funny movies. The previews do not do this movie justice. Generally, TV spots and trailers for summer comedies highlight the funniest parts of the films, and audiences are left with the scraps that somehow made it past the cutting room floor. Not the case with The 40 year old Virgin. This may or may not do well in reviews, it's not "Sideways" with scenes that are funny because they are so dark, and yet captured with complete realism. And yet it's not over the top, absurdism like last summer's "Anchorman". It's somewhere in between and makes use of the difference.
Steve Carell, as suspected, can hold his own in feature films. His demeanor and delivery are on target in every scene. He's able to capture the candid, sardonic wit that a 40 year old man would possess and yet captures the inexperience, anxiety, and childish nature that are associated with the "virgin" connotation. The supporting cast, including Paul Rudd and Catherine Keener, are great and all provide various insight to the connundrums of modern-day manhood and the emphasis placed on sexual experience.
40 year old is raunchy, punchy, and steadily brings in the laughs. Worth seeing this summer. Will also make a great DVD to compliment "Old School."