Hey folks, Harry here with a film about something that obviously has nothing in common with any of us folks reading this site. We're all mack daddies of the universe laying our stink in the belly of strong right hand of our lives! Um.. right? Right? Put the stink palm of solidarity in the air and wave it proudly! Moriarty seems to think this movie is going to make us all weep like Ned Beatty in the backwoods of Arkansas. Sounds like he's right. Watch out for spoilers!
Hi Harry,
Thought I would quickly write to tell you about the
test screening of "The 40 Year Old Virgin" I saw last
night over here in sunny Richmond, London.
I saw the film knowing little about it, I hadn't even
seen the trailer. All I knew was that it starred
Steve Carell (who I hadn't seen take a lead roll, not
even through my fingers at the American Version of the
Office) who provided plenty of the giggles during
"Anchorman" and a solid bit part in "Melinda &
Melinda". Now "Saturday Night Live" style comedies
don't seem to translate well over here in the UK,
maybe its the languidge barrier I don't know, but
since "Anchorman" split me down the middle (I wanted
to like it, it took plenty of risks, but sadly I just
didn't laugh) I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy this
film.
However, I was very surprised. This film is very
funny. It has a solid supporting cast that get to
dish out the laughter in equal portions. And a well
written storey line that supports the jokes well,
giving us a chance to explore and laugh at the human
condition without it seeming forced and by-the-by.
The film striked me as if it was written as a chick
flick, but with all the crude discussions of bodily
functions and tactics for bagging women being bandied
around its most definitely written from a lads
perspective.
Steve Carell carries the film very well and (from what
I've read) handles being embarressed much better than
he does doing the embarressing (a la "The Office").
There's plenty of development of his character
(unusual for a comedy you could say) and a prat-fall
thats on a par with that classic from "Saun of the
Dead". He plays a 40 year old virgin who loves his
action figures more than Chris Nolan loves his long
lens. You could say that the film is being marketed
directly at the "Aint it Cool News" crowd (virginity
and action figures probably being central to their
lives), just kidding guys!
I'll try and keep this short (as I'm still at work at
the moment) but surfice to say that this is a solid
comedy with plenty of laughs. Perhaps not one to
build up and up until it can't possibly meet your
expectations, but a good laugh nontheless. And a film
that should ring true with all those virgins out
there, and all those people who have teased their
mates about their virginity.
Keep up the good work,
Gavdaman.
