Sunday, July 12, 2009

RV!: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)


RV!: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Dir: Nicholas Stoller Date Released: April 2008 Date Seen: July 12th, 2009 Rating: 4/5

By now it's become a rote statement to say the Apatow cartel has risen to prominence based on the stregnth on their man-made and approved romcoms. An "Apatow" film hinges on the sexual and domestic fantasies of sensitive boors. They're sensitive enough to realize the error of their homophobic, sexist and happily juvenile ways but are not mature enough to ditch the bong, the booze and the dick jokes just yet. 

That's what makes Jason Segel's protag. in Forgetting Sarah Marshall such an exemplary Apatow man. He's a blocked-up musician whose recent break-up with long-time girlfriend and star Sarah Marshall has left him an emotional wreck. He's also a guy that tries to seduce hi soon-to-be ex-girlfriend by opening his towel after a shower and jiggling furiously. He drinks to forget but he can't because he still has feelings for Sarah. He's miserable but too stupid to do anything about it without the help of a few good men and another girl.

Segel's buoyant script crystallizes the "bromance" subgenre that Apatow has so capably capitalized on by giving it a focus and a star schmuck that is as self-deprecating and charming as his supporting cast of deranged male-dominated characters. The film's structure is more rigorous than most other Apatow-produced films and there is never a slack moment. Very funny stuff.

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