FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

 

"We've had complants of someone crying"

Peter Bretter (Segel) thought he had the perfect relationship with TV star Sarah Marshall (Bell) but as she became more and more famous, the relationship started to change, unbeknownst to him. So when Sarah dumps him, Peter is completely devastated. His step brother Brian tries his best to get him over it but when everything fails, Peter decides a vacation is the only way he can get over Sarah but when he arrives in Hawaii he discovers that not only is Sarah staying in the same hotel but that she is staying with her new lover, British music sensation Aldous Snow (Brand).

Judd Apatow's comedy revolution has shaken Hollywood since the turn of the millennium but can his latest production keep up the momentum?

Producer/writer/director Judd Apatow has been heralded as the saviour of Hollywood comedy and rightly so. With hits like 'The 40 Year Old Virgin', 'Knocked Up', 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy', 'Superbad', 'Talladega Nights: The Ballard of Ricky Bobby' and 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' under his belt, he is on a real role. What he does extremely well as a producer is push to the forefront new talent and with 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' he has done it again. After turning Seth Rogen into an unlikely leading man and giving him his chance as a writer, he does the same for 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'Knocked Up' star Jason Segel and also hands 'Fun with Dick and Jane' writer Nicholas Stoller his directorial debut and the pair really rise to the occasion.

The story is simple but the execution is first rate. Peter Bretter has just been dumped by his superstar girlfriend and he is having real trouble getting over it. No matter how many women he sleeps with, how much he drinks or even if he throws himself into work, which doesn't help as she plays the score for her hit TV show 'Crime Scene', he just breaks down and becomes consumed by a wave of depression. When his step brother Brian and his wife suggest he gets away for a while but when he arrives in Hawaii he is only staying at the same hotel as Sarah Marshall and her new, superstar musician boyfriend. That is basically it but it is the way that the story is played out and the number of comedy set pieces that hit the mark that make 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' a piece of comedy gold.

Jason Segel is about to become a huge star. Best known for his role as Marshall Erikson in the hit TV show 'How I Met Your Mother', Segel came to the attention of moviegoers in his supporting role as stoner and ladies man Jason in 'Knocked Up' but there is much more to this rising star. The screenplay he has written is quite simply hilarious, hitting the mark so many times. The character of Peter is also perfect and perfectly played by the writer himself, as he is sympathetic but you can also understand why Sarah would have dumped him. It is this combination that makes the character, who is definitely not your usual leading man character for a romantic comedy, so easy to connect with.

As with all Judd Apatow movies the supporting cast is exceptional and filled with favourites who have appeared in many of his movies. Apatow stalwarts Bill Hader, Johan Hill and Paul Rudd steal every scene they are in as Peter's step brother Brian, hotel employee and wanabe singer Matthew and surf instructor Chuck. Newcomers to the Apatow fold Kristen Bell as Sarah Marshall, the TV superstar who wants to live the famous lifestyle and Peter isn't part of that equation and the stunning beautiful Mila Kunis, who is best known for providing the voice for Meg Griffin in 'Family Guy', as possible love interest and hotel clerk Rachel, provide the female support.

'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' is another extremely funny comedy from producer Judd Apatow but it is Jason Segel that is the real star. While we may see a little too much him as he wears nothing but his birthday suit for some scenes in the movie, he is a real star in the making and a fine comedic writer as well. With real appeal to both male and female audience members and a cuttingly rude sense of humour that may be a little too shocking for some, this is how Hollywood should be making comedy films.

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Knocked Up

The 40 Year-Old Virgin

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2008