Save yourself for "The 40 Year Old Virgin".

Rating: 5/10 (17 September 2005)

The rites of passage from boyhood to manhood have often been a cinematic staple, in such memorable titles as "Animal House", "Porky's" and "Revenge Of The Nerds", to the more recent "American Pie" films. Adding to that, are most of the Farrelly Brothers productions which have further tested the boundaries of sexual humor.
While the majority of these examples depict a high school or college demographic, the latest trend seems to focus more on grown men who have not quite reached that one specific level of maturity in their juvenile pursuit of sexual gratification.
Following the breakout success of the similarly raunchy comedy, "The Wedding Crashers", comes this film, which has also managed to defy the curse of the sanitized PG-13 rating that has plagued and minimized so many potentially good films.
Steve Carell whom we have previously seen in television sketch shows and in supporting roles opposite comedy kings Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell, co-wrote alongside director Judd Apatow, and stars in his first leading vehicle.
Andy Stitzer is socially challenged, living his life with childish innocence. An electronics store employee, he also boasts a vast collection of vintage action figures, plays video games, entertains himself with solo karaoke sessions, as well as watches reality shows with his elderly neighbors. Also, his method of transportation is a bicycle.
During a poker game with his coworkers (Paul Rudd, Romano Malco, Seth Rogan), it is revealed that Andy has never engaged in sexual intercourse. Of course, he's had plenty of opportunities which always failed to meet his expectations, so he eventually just stopped trying.
From that point on, his friends, who are also all dealing with relationship issues of their own, become determined to initiate Andy to the world of dating and eventual mating, leading him through both his physical and psychological transformation, introducing him to nightclub outings, a body-waxing appointment, and a various assortment of pornography material.
Eventually, Andy meets Beth (Elizabeth Banks), a bookstore clerk, and furthermore, Trish (Catherine Keener), a single mother who runs an independent business selling merchandise to Ebay. Andy begins developing feelings for Trish, but has to struggle with posing restrictions in his relationship with her, and not revealing his state of prolonged "celibacy".
Had this film starred Tom Green or Rob Schneider, for example, the result would have undoubtedly been less effective. Carell offers refreshing insight into a overused plot subject, presenting Andy's situation with sincerity, sensibility and endearing awkwardness rather than turning his performance into one of chauvinistic exploitation.
Like "Wedding Crashers", this film turns its third act into a showcase of moral sentimentality, and despite all its strong attributes, the material unfortunately begins wearing thin before it finally reaches its satisfying climax (No pun intended).