Review: ‘Forgetting Sarah’ wins with tried-and-true formula

Directed by: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd

Rated: R

In 1991, at the tender age of 23, Judd Apatow landed his first gig as a television writer for Tom Arnold’s show “The Naked Truth.” In short order, he went on to write for a few true classics: “The Ben Stiller Show,” “The Larry Sanders Show” and “The Critic.” By age 24, he was also producing many of the shows he was writing.

In 2000, he created, wrote and produced the cult classic “Freaks and Geeks.” This cemented his reputation as a comic genius, and his move to film was inevitable. He’d already produced a couple of movies – “Celtic Pride” and “The Cable Guy” – but after “Freaks and Geeks,” the world was his oyster.

In 2004, Apatow produced the blockbuster comedy, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” and a year later he directed his first film, “The 40 Year Old Virgin.”

These days, Apatow has an empire populated by a gang of regular actors, writers and directors. In the past few years, he’s written, directed, composed songs for and mostly produced some of the best-known comedies of the new millennium. Films such as “Superbad,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Knocked Up” and “Talladega Nights” all have the Apatow stamp on them.

In many of his films, Apatow uses a formula that is unmistakably his. He manages to mix raunch with elements of classic romantic comedy, and he does so without alienating fans of either genre.

Another Apatow trademark is the fact that while the female leads in his films are all beautiful, desirable women, his male romantic leads are a far cry form the Hugh Grant types seen in most modern romantic comedies. Apatow’s men are usually physically less than well-toned, emotionally challenged and borderline messes. But they usually get the girl.

The latest film produced by Apatow is “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Directed by first timer Nicholas Stoller, the film stars Apatow regular Jason Segel, who also wrote the screenplay. The producer is always generous to the members of his stable.

Segel plays Peter Bretter, a musician who writes scores for film and TV. One of the shows he scores is called “Crime Scene” (the clips shown of the series are hilariously awful) starring his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell).

In an opening scene of the movie, a stark-naked Peter is confronted by Sarah, who tells him they’re finished and she’s found someone else. The nudity is integral to the scene and sets a tone for the film inasmuch as it adds to Peter’s total humiliation and vulnerability.

Peter makes a go at getting over Sarah, but nothing seems to help. So, he decides to get away for a while and books a stay at the Hawaiian resort Turtle Bay. It seems like a good idea, but when he’s checking in, he finds that Sarah and her new (it comes to the fore later that he’s not so new) lover are staying there as well. Sarah’s new boyfriend, played by English comedian Russell Brand, is the rock singer Aldous Snow. Brand gives a brilliant performance. Snow is entirely self absorbed but completely likable. He seems to realize that he’s not really worthy of the worship bestowed by his fans, but what’s a bloke to do?

With the help of a sympathetic hospitality clerk, Peter checks in to the most lavish suite in the resort and sets about to show Sarah and her beau he’s doing quite well, thank you. That said, he spends the first night sobbing like a baby to the point that other guests are complaining about a woman crying. Rachel Jenson (Mila Kunis), the hospitality girl, bails Peter out. Kunis, a Ukrainian, has blossomed into not only a striking, exotic beauty but a fine actress as well. Her character rivals Snow for the most interesting and compelling in the film.

Peter and Rachel strike up a friendship, have a couple of dates and a romance begins to bud. All the while, Peter continues to run into Sarah and Aldous in uncomfortable situations.

There are several interesting subplots here. Paul Rudd plays a bong-crazy surfing instructor who befriends Peter, and we find out that Peter’s dream is to write a rock opera. I’m not going to reveal details of the opera; it’s too funny to be spoiled.

In the end, things come together – and some things fall apart. Everyone gets what they need, if not what they want.

The raunch factor is evident, but the gentleness of the story balances it out. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” fits nicely with Apatow’s other comedies.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]