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Directed By
Judd Apatow
Written By:
Judd Apatow, Steve Carell
Cast:
Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Jane Lynch, Romany Malco, Jonah Hill, Mo Collins, Brianna Brown
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The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
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Movie Review by Matthew 
August 22nd, 2005
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Have I entered the Twilight Zone? Two weekends in August and four above average films released by major film studios. What's happening? Usually the first weekend of August is the last hope for any film resembling entertainment. Any Friday beyond that is traditionally reserved for the dregs lining the studio vault. You know, films like "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo." But in the last two weeks, the studios seem to be trying to buck the trend by releasing four films that are above average. Last weekend, I was surprised at how well-written "The Skeleton Key" was and also with the quality of Mark Wahlberg's performance and the uncompromising action in "Four Brothers".
Buoyed by good reviews, I attended a sold out Friday night performance of "The 40 Year Old Virgin", Steve Carrell's (perhaps the best thing about "Bruce Almighty", NBC's Americanized "The Office") first starring role. It was, simply put, extremely funny.
Andy (Carrell), the receiving manager at an electronics chain store (think "The Good Guys") in the Valley, lives a happy life. He wakes up every morning, makes a nice breakfast, rides his bike to work, returns home to watch "Survivor" with the elderly neighbors upstairs, plays some video games and then goes to bed. Andy is the type guy who lines his walls with action figures still sealed in their original boxes. He accepts an invitation to play poker with some of his co-workers and the conversation turns to women; David (Paul Rudd) is still trying to get over his breakup two years ago, Jay (Romany Malco) is in a relationship but also likes to play around and insists that this makes his relationship stronger and Cal (Seth Rogen), Andy's co-worker in receiving, is a tall guy who is into some kinky stuff. After the guys relate outlandish stories about sex, its Andy's turn and he gamely tries to convince them that he has had sex. They quickly pick up on the fact that he is a 40 year old virgin and insist on helping him overcome this obstacle, making it a quest. Each provides him with their own ideas on how to have sex and/ or find a girl to date. Then Andy meets Trish (Catherine Keener) the owner of an "I Will Sell It On EBay For You" store across the street.
"The 40 Year Old Virgin", written by Carrell and Apatow, who also directed, is a very funny, refreshingly sweet and vulgar comedy about a man trying to navigate the murky waters of dating and relationships for the first time in his life. Notice how I said the film was sweet and vulgar? Those aren't words you would often use together to describe a comedy, but they are perfectly fitting here. The film blends a lot of references to sex, sexual acts and lewd behavior with a story that is surprisingly sweet and refreshing.
The key to the success of "Virgin" lies in Steve Carrell. His performance is similar to Will Ferrell's in "Elf". These performances made the films. If a more famous, perhaps better known comedian had taken on this project, I don't think Andy would have been portrayed with a sweet innocence underlined with a mild desperation, as Carrell. Carrell manages to portray his desperation while maintaining his desire to be a decent person. Throughout the film, he gets into a series of situations, most with hugely funny payoffs which rob the character of his dignity. But because Carrell plays the character so earnestly, this only serves to make the situations that much more funny. This is a star making turn; much like "Elf" was for Ferrell. Hopefully, Carrell will be able to avoid the tiresome projects Ferrell has been participating in lately. Films like "Bewitched" and "Kicking and Screaming". What is he thinking? Actually, Ferrell must be letting the $20 million paychecks he gets for each of the films cloud his judgement.
If "Virgin" only had the one character, it would probably be a pretty good film, but the film is filled with interesting, funny performances complimenting Andy beautifully. Catherine Keener's Trish is a refreshing addition to the film. From her first appearance, she manages to convey so much about her life. She is unsure of what kind of a VCR to buy when she comes into the shop. Andy ends up helping her and Trish is a little unsure of what to say, not very knowledgeable about electronics, and maybe a little embarrassed about her store, where she sells things for other people on eBay. As we get to know Trish, she seems to be the perfect fit for Andy. The performance is really amazingly multifaceted and has many different little quirks and levels which I can't reveal here.
It won't fit. Please read the full review at thornhillatthemovies.com
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