Exceeded my expectations, and this is not just a comedy

Rating: 9/10 (19 August 2005)

This is the second movie to exceed my expectations in the last few weeks. The trailers left me wondering whether this movie would be worth watching at all. Plus, I loved Steve Carell on the Daily Show, but I found his movies lacking, but he was never the star. Here, he has a writing credit. His performances are getting better as his roles expand. Much to my surprise, they pulled it off after all, to an interesting, and unexpected closing after the closing which adds a significant element of sweetness to the story.
The subject of the movie is more serious than the comedy this is billed to be. Andy Stitzer (Carell) is the virgin because he "choses to be"; actually, because he's socially inept and afraid of the opposite sex. I was wondering how he would break the news to his girlfriend in the movie, who eschews sex with him, apparently to avoid the pressure.
The supporting cast is a hoot, the dialog is well written, and entirely believable, as crazy as his co-workers seemed to be. We've all had them. I also loved the interesting choice of music, which adds an interesting layer to the movie one doesn't usually notice.
Not the funniest movie of the year, as some reviewers say, because it isn't intended to be, considering the subject which needed to be dealt with seriously and not frivolously. It is good story with funny parts, and I highly recommend it.