Give It Up for Feig, Carrell & Co!

Rating: 8/10 (6 November 2005)

Parents, please stop taking your kids to Rated R movies! Okay, now I can continue with my review The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a smart, raunchy yukfest reminiscent of American Pie and There's Something About Mary. While not quite as enjoyable as the latter, it offers a buffet of twisted humor and some sentimental messages to boot.
The film was co-written, produced, and directed by Judd Apatow, best known for his work on one of my favorite TV shows, Freaks and Geeks. The under-appreciated Apatow may finally have a hit on his hands, thanks largely to his co-writer and leading actor, Steve Carrell.
Carrell (Daily Show, Anchorman) plays geeky, electronics store employee Andy Stitzer. Andy leads a solitary life, filling his time and modest apartment with collectible toys and video games. Despite its subtle kinship with Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Andy is not just a man-child. He's a sweet guy who's reached his 40s without having had a real relationship or the physical connection that typically accompanies it. Once his younger, sex-crazed co- workers learn of his plight, they make it their personal mission to "get their buddy laid."
The movie works not only because it's chock-full of laughs, but also because of its realistic depiction of male behavior. We see the demented male psyche from nearly every conceivable facet, which proves both illuminating and frightening. The film's potential classic status is marred only by its lengthy running time. Nevertheless, if you're in the mood for something profanely endearing, this is the one for you.
Rating: B+