This was a film I saw in theaters with absolutely no expectations. The previews, the poster, even the cast made it seem like an incredibly unoriginal studio vehicle. I refused to pay attention even to the most positive of reviews that the movie was getting--even my favorite critic's 3 1/2 star review of the film (88% on Metacritic). So, I walk into the theater with a few of my friends, hating myself for being a part of the crowd of half-drunk teenagers and their most recent of partners filing into the auditorium and talking very loudly about the stupidest things imaginable. My friends insisted that it was supposed to be "Funny as shit dude!"
My pre-formed opinions were almost completely proven with a generic opening sequence that involved a happy Cake song, teeth brushing, and early morning cereal and television in pajamas. I was ready for nearly two hours of pompous bashing of the film with my friends. And then, Jason Segel's dick pops out.
"Oh my goodness!" I thought. The rest of the theater clearly thought the same thing, with chorus' of "Ew!"s and "Gross!"s and "Eeek! A penis!"s. I thought this was pretty funny. Thus began my two hours of pleasantly surprised hysterical laughter.
With my previously porta-potty bad expectations, I found the film to be very original for a textbook romantic comedy. I knew what was going to happen the entire film--but it was the actual journey that I found to be hysterical, and how the typical events played out differently. My friends seemed to be under the impression that it was better than Knocked Up or Superbad (because that's how they compare comedies nowadays I guess?), something that frustrated me beyond belief, since Sarah Marshall was basically riding the wave (Hawaii pun) that had been originated in those two films and 40 Year Old Virgin. "Just wait to you see it again!" everyone said when I would cynically disagree.
So, I preordered it, got it a day before it was supposed to even be released, and watched it. For some reason, it failed to resonate as well a second time.
The film is at its strongest during the first hour. The early sequence involving Segel's desperate attempts to get over Sarah Marshall in the form of repeated promiscuous encounters with an array of strange women is especially strong. The movie begins to run stale after the first hour, but still manages to be endearing, more "twanging the heart strings", so to speak.
Don't get me wrong, it's a hilarious movie. It's also sensitive, maintaining a balance between commentary on post-breakup angst and (mostly) smart humor. The acting is surprisingly good, and all of the characters are very likeable, if slightly idealized. Jason Segel holds his own as a leading man, even if some his jokes run dry when they are clearly meant to be knockouts. Russel Brand is great even when his character is too over-the-top. And the leading ladies, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis, not only complement the scenery but demonstrate genuine pathos, infusing their characters with something completely real in the romantic comedy world of caricatured characters and stories. And, might I mention, Mila Kunis has to be one of the cutest human beings on the planet.
The supporting characters, such as Paul Rudd and Bill Hader, provide most of the film's hilarity. The comedy comes not only from the lead characters' emotional scars, but almost moreso from other peoples' attempts to make him forget them, or in Kunu's (Paul Rudd's) words, "**** the lemons and bail." The best moments are the ones where Segel's pain is forgotten, which usually only occur in the presence of the very gifted supporting cast. This very evident fact makes a viewer wish the he would just forget the blonde bitch already and get on Mila Kunis, because even the best cutesy romantic scenes come when she's on the screen, and the funniest parts in Hawaii come when she's the primary love interest.
The film probably won't age as well as some of Judd Apatow and Co's other strong efforts, but I definitely would include this one in there. What was so great about Knocked Up and 40 YOV is that they managed to transcend the romantic comedy genre that they so easily fit into. They stand alone as a comedy, approaching the romantic plots from left-field with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor but also with a true sincerity. Forgetting Sarah Marshall seems to fit more into the mold of typical date movie fare, but still has a fresh, original methodology in its emotional themes (and also its raucous comedic sensibilities).
It is actually a great movie. I love it, despite its obvious flaws and generic plot lines. I can't wait for Jason Segel to get another chance at writing, because I'm almost positive that he can only get better after such a solid debut. Maybe he'll try to push the mold even more, following Seth Rogen's creative role choices and endeavors. Or maybe he'll fade into obscurity...but the pig scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall makes me hope he doesn't.
Recommendations: 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad...and, for other romantic comedies with a character's name in the titles, let's not forget John Tucker Must Die! Christ, what a terrible movie.