Funny, and amazingly smart

Rating: 7/10 (19 February 2007)

Let me start by saying that I am not a big fan of modern day comedies. Gross out films never did anything for me. I didn't like "Porky's", "American Pie" was rather disgusting, and when I finally saw "There's Something About Mary" I could not believe that this was the movie everyone rated so highly...yeah yeah, she's got a guy's ejaculate in her hair, funny. Nah, not really.
So a few weeks ago I picked up "Anchorman" and really enjoyed it on a "non-think" level. I enjoyed seeing the actors let go and just be foolish in a foolish comedy. I especially liked Steve Carell as the slightly retarded weatherman.
I remember seeing "The 40 Year Old Virgin" in posters at the movie theater and dismissed it as just another gross out comedy. When I realized that Carell was in it, and co-wrote it, I said what the heck and bought it.
Just for starts, the cover picture of the title character tells it all. There he is, well groomed, a pleasant looking fellow that seems like he would be nice, and you can just immediately believe that he's a virgin. And all captured on that cover photo! At first I thought this might not be what I hoped for, with Carell walking around with "morning wood". But those types of visuals quickly give way to a story filled with hilarious characters, not background types put out there for gags.
Andy Sitzer has never had sex, he has tried, just never worked out. And sure he is a bit nerdy, but he is neither a pushover nor a crazy guy. He's a nice guy, and while he'll use the four letter words, he feels bad saying them. He certainly doesn't want anyone's pity, nor is he a pitiful character. He's a hilarious character, and that is one of the strengths of the movie.
Going in, you think Andy has this problem with sex. And in a lesser movie, that would be the whole movie. This movie goes that extra mile and paints a world where EVERY character has a problem with sex, and importantly, love. This gives the movie heart in the right place.
Women may complain that aside from Andy's eventual girlfriend, that women are not painted in a very good light in this movie. Well, as a non-nerdy but nice guy who dated a lot of women in the 80s prior to settling down, the women portrayed here, while exaggerated, seemed to come from the mind of a few fellows like me who have experienced them! Especially during the speed dating sequence. I remember one time myself on a first, blind date, a woman leaning over to me--and I thought she was going to say something romantic or clever--and saying that I perhaps might want to grow a beard to help cover the mild acne I had on my chin. And of course, what guy hasn't had a date with someone who is "all religion" or a total whack-job. The picture is painted so clear here that you will certainly be falling off your chair in laughter.
You're in the hands of professionals in this movie. When Jane Lynch and Carell have a conversations about "F-buddies", and Lynch goes into a serenade, I don't know when the last time I saw a funnier scene. Their interplay--here remembrance and turning the serenade over to Andy, and Andy nervously wishing he was anywhere but there, are priceless. Carell's "yo yo master" scene, the scene with Mooj going on and on about what sex and love ISN'T about, the women at speed dating, the "Oscar Goldman" scene. I could go on.
The best stuff is the stuff that isn't too naughty. To me, and maybe this is just the unrated version, the bathtub scene went on long enough to start to become a bit disturbing and weird. What was the point of that scene going on with her and the shower head? Didn't need to see Carell pee on himself, etc. However, these are minor complaints to a movie that is ribald, yet funny and enjoyable.
I always read reviews where people say "I laughed every 30 seconds" and I dismiss those typically as from the kind of people that give "Porky's Revenge" 10 stars. But truly, this movie has more laughs in it then any movie I can remember.
Get the kids out of the room, expect the bawdy and the risqué, and have an open mind. This is one funny movie.