Fresh Virgin

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 2005)

We first see our hero Andy (Steve Carell) waking up, and at attention (so to speak) in his tidy apartment. His "crib" is populated by hermetically boxed action figures, Play Station Games, and a framed poster of '80's rock group "Asia". He cooks a healthy breakfast, dresses geeky, and rides a bicycle to work. Andy is a supply clerk at an electronics super-store somewhere in West Los Angeles. The guys at the store need a fourth for their ritual poker night after the store closes. The delivery guy, Cal (stoner funny Seth Rogen) suspects that Andy might be some closeted serial killer. He really does. However, the rest of his crew, David (Paul Rudd) and Jay (Romanny Malco), invite Andy. Andy accepts. In an inept technical story, Andy comes out. No, not gay. He is a 40 year-old virgin. But instead of ridicule, Jay (slick street funny man, Romany Malco) declares that his life's mission is getting Andy laid. David and Cal are also enrolled in his community project. This is what is so charming, hysterical, and unexpected about Writer/ Director Judd Apatow's "The 40 Year-Old Virgin." Along with star and co-writer, Steve Carell, "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" is absolutely raunchy and graphic funny, but it is never mean-spirited. Never. In fact, the movie has a sweet love story, and an off-beat sense of true friendship. Much like "Wedding Crashers", "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" is a smart, absolutely funny R-rated comedy with the romantic foreground.
The story by Apatow and Carell is clever, hysterical, surprising, all with a light touch. In an unexpected scene Andy asks the always together Jay, "Do you think that I am good-looking?" Jay tells him, "...Yes." The exchange is sincere. Yes, Andy is some sort of loser with the action figures, video games, and zero fashion sense. Well, at least initially. But with the good-souled and so very earnest Carell as Andy, we get that there is perhaps more to him. Perhaps, Andy gave up on sex and really on love a long time ago. Carell pulls off Andy as some sort of celibate hero, not so much pathetic, rather really a good guy. Like his co-workers, the audience has a genuine affection for Andy. So when his Viking-like boss Paula (an imposing funny sexy Leslie Mann) personally offers to make Andy a man, the effect is hysterical.
There are hilarious bits involving speed-dating, porn, body waxing, and projectile vomiting. Eventually, Andy meets Trish (quirky and completely charming Catherine Keener). Trish is a 40-ish mother of three, who owns a "sell it on E-Bay" business. She has an office across from the electronics store. Andy meets her when she comes in looking for a VCR. Yes, VCR. His crew is behind Andy, and he musters up the courage to ask Trish out on a date. It goes so well, that they agree not to have sex for 20 dates as they get to know each other. No, this is not a big deal for Andy. Managing the rest of his life is.
"The 40 Year-Old Virgin" runs a little too long, so to speak. Perhaps, it's only short coming. It is predictable, though completely hilarious with a universally satisfying charm. Steve Carell as Andy has a geeky charisma, for what could have been a pathetic characterization. Carell instills a great humanity and vulnerability in Andy. Catherine Keener is an amazing surprise as Trish. She is smart, funny, and extremely sexy. She is so believable as a 40 something single Mom, running her business, raising her kids, and looking for love. The rest of the cast are outstanding. Paul Rudd has great presence as David, the heart-broken guy who waffles between new age man, and woman chaser. Romany Malco is so versatile as Jay. He is the ultra slick dude, who ends up being a true friend to Andy. Seth Rogen is hysterical as the guy's guy Cal. There is a lot more to Apatow and Carell's "Virgin" than drop dead laughs. It's got a good story. Definitely see "The 40 Year-Old Virgin".