The Forty Year Old Virgin
This movie was so dirty. Holy man. I know I would have been squirming constantly if I had seen it near anybody 5 or more years older than myself. Or younger. Given that, it was relentlessly funny. The only issue with the humor was going into it expecting so much. I mean, this is Brick, in a starring role. It was one of those “i’m laughing but it might just be because I want to think this is funny things” at the beginning of the movie. Then, I stopped thinking of my expectations and just laughed.
The topic of sex is, of course, a cornucopia for humor. Unfortunately, the movie frequently had to crutch it’s way around, leaning on the inherent politically incorrect humor that sexually-charged jokes carry. Thank goodness there was some good physical comedy in there, too: our hero, Andy, flies through two billboards in a spectacular bike accident. Furthermore, as the film follows mornings at Andy’s house, the same “special effect” that was used in Anchorman is employed. I was only slightly ashamed at myself for laughing.
The sweetness of the movie, the gentle ending, the realistic portrayal of someone who is completely normal except for being a virgin, saves this movie from being another Old School. Certinaly, it’s just as funny, but has some staying power, too. That is, the horrendously dirty and the poignant coexist effectively.
Comments
Nils
I saw this movie as well, and I thought it was pretty good. The "I know how you're gay" lines I enjoyed a lot. I also realized that about 85% of the conversations, if they occured in real life, would be extremly awkward. But I have to say, the comparison to Old School just doesn't fit at all. The two movies are only similar in their genres, being comedy, albeit comedy focused on the 18-30 male demographic. And Old School was an awesome movie which I actually think I enjoyed more than The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Just don't be hating on Old School, that is all I ask.
Alexander Micek
Well, it is "saved from being another Old School," which wasn't meant to critique Old School itself. I meant to say the genre that Old School falls in (accurately identified in your demographics, certainly), has been done very well, and didn't need another addition to it. That said, I enjoyed the movie as well, and perhaps someday in the future, when we are older and wiser, we will sit down and view a funny movie at the same time.
Hope your move back to Madtown went well (are outsiders allowed to call it "Madtown"?).
Mykala
This movie does not even compare to the glory that is Old School. Though I almost wet myself when the drunk blonde girl was singing Missy Elliot in the car, I did not find a special place in my heart next to Old School and Orange County for this movie. A few good moments do not a movie make…
Nils
Outsiders may indeed call Madison Madtown, because it is a mad town. One does not have to be a resident (former or present) to refer to this city in a correct nickname. Madtown, Madison, it's all the same
Alexander Micek
I will remember this important geographical lesson when I visit Madison. Many thanks.