Don’t Forget Sarah Marshall

4/26/08- Forgetting Sarah Marshall is very funny and definitely not forgettable. It's from Judd Apatow and the gang that is responsible for a number of what might be looked back on as some of this generation's comedy classics; Forty Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Superbad. You can slip Forgetting Sarah Marshall right into the mix if you like any of those movies.

The cast is great from top to bottom. Jason Segel holds his own as the Regular Joe lead that every guy can relate to on some level. He takes some risks in the name of getting a laugh that are pretty courageous and payoff big time. (Five minutes into the movie, you will know what I am talking about.) Kristen Bell is his drop-dead gorgeous celebrity girlfriend who breaks up with him at the beginning of the film. Forgetting Sarah Marshall would be a Herculean task for any guy, but switching to Mila Kunis makes it a whole lot easier. She sheds her Jackie character from That Seventies Show and portrays a beautiful, sweet and approachable girl that may also have some baggage.

Paul Rudd shows up as a stoner surf instructor and, as usual, knocks it out of the park. Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock appears as a naïve newlywed in some of the movie's funniest moments. However it's Russell Brand, who plays Sarah Marshall's new rock star love interest, who practically steals the movie. His pompous and flamboyant antics are hilarious. Bill Hadar (SNL) and Jonah Hill (Superbad) also show up in supporting roles.

I think of this movie a lot like I think of movies like Austin Powers and Anchorman, the over all story is almost incidental to the individual scenes. Every few minutes one or all of the people in my group were laughing out loud, and at times embarrassingly loud. The gags in this movie keep coming and almost always hit the mark.

I don't like to give away too much in a review, but there is a song performed in this movie that still cracks me up when I think about it. There is also a running satire of CSI that was great.
One of the great things about these movies is that they take a typical plot, like a guy with a broken heart stuck on vacation next to his ex-girlfriend and her new flame, and kick it in the groin with humor that can be crude, obnoxious and riotously funny. Like Forty Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, this movie has a heart, but as soon as it starts to wander into date movie territory, someone pulls it back with foul-mouthed dexterity that is to be admired. I'm sure there are some who think these movies are too vulgar. I don't agree. It's just bold. The movie will come close to the line, dance on it, and maybe even hop over it briefly to get the laugh, but it always jumps back in time to keep it from degrading into a tasteless mess.

So don't be the person who misses this movie and then can't join in on the quoting when you are out with your friends. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is definitely worth a few laughs.