'Virgin' satirizes modern romance, sex

Books with titles such as “The New Celibacy,” “Every Man’s Battle” and “Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity” are amassing ever increasing space in bookstores. Magazines such as Atlantic Monthly and Cosmopolitan have addressed the issue. The rock-n-roll, pop-culture guidebook “Rolling Stone” recently featured an in-depth article, “The Young & the Sexless,” which deals with college kids who have decided to wait.

Despite the frequent news stories concerning errant members of the clergy, high school teachers and politicians, celibacy and the “save it for marriage” movement are gaining a foothold in American society.

Many people either don’t understand it or are skeptical. It’s like the “young conservative” movement. College years long have been associated with certain mores that aren’t typically “conservative” or “virginal.”

Steve Carell and Judd Apatow have taken notice of the new phenomenon and fashioned a romantic satire titled “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”

Writer/actor Carell is best known as a regular on TV’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and as the brainless weatherman in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” Writer/director Apatow worked extensively as a TV producer before jumping to the big screen as producer of “Anchorman.”

“Virgin” is a comedy in the vein of “American Pie” and “There’s Something About Mary.” While not as heavy on the “gross-out factor” as either of those films, some people might be offended by the proliferation of vulgarities in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” So be forewarned: While it’s done so in a light, humorous manner, there are many references – uttered in street vernacular – to various sexual acts, organs and practices.

Carell is Andy Stitzer, the character of the film’s title. Andy is geeky but sweet, sort of like Pee Wee Herman’s nonannoying brother. He lives alone, follows a rigid schedule, which includes riding his bicycle to and from work, and is surrounded by video games, posters that would be at home in a teenager’s room (circa 1980) and his pristine collection of action figures.

One night, when his co-workers need an extra body for poker, Andy gets a chance to “party with the guys.” In the course of the evening, the talk turns to sex. It doesn’t take David, Cal and Jay much time to figure out the truth: Andy is a virgin.

The buddies set about on a quest to “get Andy laid.” (If the term “laid” offends you, definitely stay away from this film. That’s as mild as the terminology gets.)

Each of the three has unique dating advice for their inexperienced friend. David (Paul Rudd) is still heartbroken over losing the love of his life. Jay (Romany Malco) considers himself a ladies’ man and while he has a steady girl, he keeps a number of others stringing along. Cal (Seth Rogen) is a good-natured, tattooed pothead who always has suspected Andy of being a serial killer. He tells Andy to “date drunks.”

Also trying to help is Andy’s boss, Paula. She tells Andy she could be his “sex buddy.”

“I’m discreet, and I’ll haunt your dreams,” she says.

All of this attention makes Andy nervous, but not as nervous as when he meets a woman who seems interested in him. Catherine Keener always brings a lot to the table as a cast member and is in top form here as Trish. Trish is the mother of three, grandmother of one and still quite sexy. Nods to the filmmakers for giving Andy an age-appropriate love interest.

Trish runs a shop that sells people’s stuff for them on eBay. (Astute viewers will pick up what turns out to be an important symbiotic relationship between Andy and Trish.)

Andy is in love with Trish but is afraid to tell her about his sexual status. She, on the other hand, takes her time telling him about her matriarchal side.

The boys tell Andy he doesn’t want his first time to be with someone he actually loves. They tell him he needs to get some practice in beforehand.

After a close encounter with a revved-up bookstore clerk and the usual misunderstandings that arise in romantic comedies, Trish and Andy get together … on their own terms.

“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” for me, amounts to somewhat less than the sum of its parts. It borders on being a one-joke film. It could easily have been cut in length by 30 minutes, and a “punch up” from a more experienced screenwriter couldn’t have hurt either.

But the cast – especially Keener – is impeccable, and individual scenes are funny and sometimes even original.

If the language doesn’t turn you off, it’s good for a few laughs.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.

[[In-content Ad]]