Universal Pictures presents an R rated, deservedly so, film with a running time of 129 minutes directed by Judd Apatow and starring Katherine Heigl (Alison Scott), Seth Rogen (Ben Stone), Paul Rudd (Pete), Leslie Mann (Debbie), Jay Baruchel (Jay), Jonah Hill (Jonah), Jason Segel (Jason), Martin Starr (Martin) with Grant Hayes (Ned), Ken Jeong (Dr. Kuni), and appearances by James Franco, Ryan Seacrest, Steve Carell, Jessica Alba amongst several others.
If you're looking for the perfect date movie, couples movie, or hey just a great dramatic, romantic, fun filled comedy for the married couple to go and enjoy search no further. Actually this film is sure to appeal to both the male and female demographic whether married or single. Right in line with "The 40 Year Old Virgin", "Old School", "Animal House" and even "The Break Up", this film has something for everyone. Sure to offend some but most definite to make you laugh hysterically from beginning to end.
What single men do when they have no responsibilities is sometimes scary compared to what a married man does with a wife and two children. This film explores the inner minds of both those worlds and more. Ben and his friends are out to make it rich by creating a website called "Flesh of the Stars". No not the moon and the stars but rather celebrity clips from every known movie that shows women naked. Alison, works at "E News" behind the scenes until one day gets promoted to an on camera position interviewing celebrities. So what does one do when they get promoted? They grab their closest friend, in her case her married sister Debbie and hit the bars for a few drinks. When her husband Pete calls to say one of the kids are sick Debbie leaves Alison in the hands of a stranger, enter the boy meets girl scenario, Pete. A little alcohol, excitement, dancing, late hours and physical attraction is out the door but Mr. Happy is in the cave, so to speak! In this case without protection from getting wet if you get my drift!
So, eight weeks later and a lot of morning sickness Alison is faced with hiding her pregnancy from her built on image only television executives to facing Ben with the news that a one night binge has now called the stork knocking. Throughout the rest of the film the relationship flourishes than fades than builds than crumbles like most typical couples who meet only weeks ago and are now about to raise a bastard child. Ben at the age of 23 looks 33 and acts 3 whereas Alison looks breath-taking and acts just as breath-taking. They decide to have the child in hopes of raising it together but when you put a hormonal career woman with a jobless pot smoking partier things go awry. Bottom line everyone knows not to drink and drive but ultimately a lesson is learned here not to drink and bone as well.
This film is filled with some great written lines and performed by all the main characters sure to make you think outside the empty box like the one Ben gave to Alison. Do kids really take a man's hopes and dreams away like Pete thinks? Is the missionary position the safest way to protect your unborn child from the prancing of Mr. Happy? Not until an earthquake hits, well it is California, does the test of Ben's responsibility enter into Alison's mind. Save the baby or save the bong? As always of course hormones equal anger and mushrooms equal stupidity but in some cases revelations for those under the influence. Overall though education is a wonderful thing and can definitely lead to the birth of a new generation.
Heigl was outstanding in this film and perfect for the role playing along side Rogen who helped bring this film to the level of, must see. Supporting characters Rudd and Mann were the perfect counterparts to bring this brilliant romantic comedy to life. Ben's roommates were hysterical and acted out every scene convincing of the good old days when life was meant to be mindless but not forgotten. A perfect cast with a brilliant score and many great cameos this lengthy but worthy film is sure to attract a well deserved box office bundle of joy in the end.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.