More vulgar than I expected, saved by Carell's performance.

Rating: 8/10 (19 August 2005)

I wanted to see this based on all the favorable reviews. I have to remember in the future that most reviewers are male. A man might find the excessive vulgarity and profanity funnier than I did. The 18-25 year old males will undoubtedly love this film. This movie is rated R and it is about a 40 year old virgin, but funny shouldn't mean four letter words in practically every scene. To be honest, some of the male talk left me in the dark. I guess you have to be a guy to know the 'guy speak'. I was expecting sharper dialogue, humor based more on observation. There are a few good one liners, but I wished for more. In the showing I saw, I imagine the 65-70 old woman in front of me was cringing a good deal of the time. Some scenes made 'me' uncomfortable. I'm guessing this movie will play better for men than most women.
Steve Carell, so good in NBC's show "the Office", is equally excellent here. I was surprised at his range. He never makes Andy seem dorky, just a little out of the loop when it comes to women. His performance saves the film. The supporting characters are all excellent. I wish they had been given less raunchy material. I still give this movie a thumbs up, but with reservations, especially if you're easily offended.