Ladies and gents, welcome to the comedy of the year. The 40 Year-Old Virgin will run away with the box office for a few weeks because it’s that rarest of breeds; a consistent comedy in a land of inconsistency. Steve Carell may be the new Will Ferrell (if Will Ferrell was the new Adam Sandler) and “The Daily Show” could turn out to be the new “Saturday Night Live” as far as churning out comedic talent if Carell is any indication. The film is that good. It’s worth seeing. Let’s discuss, shall we?
The refreshing thing about The 40 Year-Old Virgin is how realistic it is. Based on the premise alone they could have really screwed this film up but they play it cool and build it into something pristine. The stock “friends” which every comedy has to have aren’t friends at all, but acquaintances at the start, which feels much more authentic and leads to much better laughs as both Carell and the audience learn who each of these guys are. All of Carell’s pals who are trying to get him laid fall into comedic archetypes of course, but not so much that they don’t seem like friends you’ve actually had. The guy talk and mentality are dead on and really help you relate all around.
The 40 Year-Old Virgin also never falls into the trap of trying to be a drama (I’m looking at you Wedding Crashers), which makes it damn funny throughout. Jane Lynch plays Carell’s boss and does huge, clever, subtle comedy heavy lifting. Paul Rudd also does great work in the role he was born to play, supporting actor in a comedy. Stay in comedy Paul! Along with Anchorman and Clueless he’s starting to look like a first ballot hall of famer. The 40 Year-Old Virgin feels a little different from most comedies in that they aren’t just trying to get you from comedy bit to comedy bit, there is real flow, and most of the laughs don’t come off as gags. They rely heavily on relationships and dialogue, the two lost arts of comedy.
The love interests are also played with great verve and style. Elizabeth Banks (as Beth) does really well in her ten minutes as “psycho chick”. It’s actually been kind of a banner year for bringing “psycho chick” to the screen because Isla Fisher nailed it in Wedding Crashers too. Bravo psycho ladies, your day has come!
Without a doubt though the epiphany of the film is Steve Carell. He pretty much plays the straight man throughout which makes his forays into “punch liner” that much better. If you’ve seen the trailer you’ve seen the scene where he is getting “waxed” but you may not have known that was freaking real. The man’s chest is actually like that of a brown bear, and he got ripped off live, a sacrifice to the comedy gods. The scene is one of the funnier ones in the movie, so it paid off.
My only complaint with The 40 Year-Old Virgin is one rough transition near the end. It is kind of obvious they dropped a scene. Also they almost veer into melodrama before swerving back on to the comedy highway. But c’mon, these are nothing in the grand scheme of things. Plus, they use the song from “The Greatest American Hero” which is so freaking money they ought to be fined. Really nice work gents. Well played.
You should see The 40 Year-Old Virgin. Unless you are old (or a virgin) you’ll probably like it. As I said before, it’s the comedy of the year. It can’t miss. It’s what’s for dinner.
