Tremendous Comedic Achievement

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2005)

This review is not meant to edify the reader's knowledge of what actually takes place in the movie. It is merely meant to advocate the legitimacy of this film as a rare comedic stand-out in an era when Hollywood studios care more about the financial bottom-line than actually engaging their audiences. At a time when the film industry is treating its patrons like HMOs do their patients, it is refreshing to have been able to view a movie that does not sacrifice quality nor demean my intelligence by pandering to conventionally uninspired adult humor. This film is well thought-out and will probably do a tremendous amount of business because it was well-crafted as opposed to the pre-packaged, formulaic soft sell approach of most comedic films today. As a 32 year-old, it was also refreshing to watch a film containing characters who are my age-mates, as opposed to another flaccid youth-obsessed teen movie. The fact that Steve Carell also co-wrote and executive-produced this movie not only makes "The 40-Year Old Virgin" a tremendous personal achievement, but explains its artistic success, as well.