Coming to Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Download on March 22, 2013 is the film, This is 40. It’s sort of a sequel to the 2007 film Knocked Up. Both films were directed by Judd Apatow. He also directed the film The 40 Year Old Virgin.
Honestly, I didn’t find Knocked Up funny. There might have been a few parts, but I didn’t laugh-out-loud. The 40 Year Old Virgin on the other hand my husband and I think is funny. Steve Carrell was hysterical in that movie.
As I mentioned, This is 40 is somewhat of a sequel to Knocked Up. Knocked Up focused on Ben (Seth Grogan) and Alison (Katherine Heigl), a couple who conceived a child after a one night stand. Alison’s sister, Debbie, was played by Leslie Man. Debbie was married to Pete (Paul Rudd). This is 40 follows the lives of Debbie & Pete.
Pete and Debbie are turning 40. As the movie opens Debbie is celebrating her 38th birthday (it’s really her 40th birthday). Pete’s birthday was a week later.
Turning 40 is not an easy pill for Debbie and Pete to digest. Suddenly a lot of realities getting older come into light, like parts of the anatomy “going south” and the fact they no longer do fun things like hit up nightclubs and go dancing with friends. I can relate to that. I think everything on my body has gone south. LOL!
In addition to turning 40, Debbie and Pete find themselves facing a lot of challenges. Take for example their daughters, Charlotte and Sadie. Charlotte is now a teenager and Debbie and Pete are finding it difficult to deal with her teenage angst. Even when they think they are doing the right thing as her parents (like reading her text messages and Facebook page), they end up doing more harm than good.
Their younger daughter, Sadie, just wants to be a part of her older sister’s life. Now that Charlotte is a teenager she seems to have no room in her life for her little sister. Sadie is also a sensitive child who hates it when her sister gets mad at her, or ignores her. She also hates it when her parents (Pete and Debbie) fight.
Here is a little bit of Trivia for you. The daughters in the film, Charlotte (Maude Apatow) and Sadie (Iris Apatow) are the daughters of Leslie Mann (Debbie) and the director (Judd Apatow).
As a parent of teenagers I can relate to Pete and Debbie, and how crazy the teenage years can be. I too am guilty of reading my daughter’s text messages and stalking her Facebook page just to keep tabs on her. Our son is a bit younger then our daughter and like Sadie, he wants to remain a part of his sister’s life, even though she is more into her friends.
Debbie and Pete also find that their marriage is not like it used to be. There is no more “spark” left. Debbie likens their marriage to a business partnership. They also fight all the time and there is no more romance left. Even when they try to rekindle their relationship on a romantic getaway things quickly turn sour afterwards.
I couldn’t relate to them in this aspect. Thankfully my hubby and I (both in our mid 40’s and married 17 years) still have that spark and romance like we used to many years ago.
To further complicate things both Pete and Debbie have to deal with their parents. Pete’s dad (Al Brooks) has been mooching money off of them for years. He says he can’t work because he has high blood pressure (he’s just lazy). Debbie’s dad abandoned her when she was 8 years old and they never had much of a relationship. He didn’t even meet his grandaugther’s until the day of Pete’s birthday.
The movie is being promoted as a “Heartwarming comedy about the challenges and rewards of marriage and parenthood in the modern age”. I’m not sure if I would describe the film in that way. Just like Knocked Up I didn’t laugh at this movie once. I did with the gag reel as part of the bonus features, but not the movie’s its self.
I found the movie to be rather depressing and I didn’t like how much they fought with each other. At one point in the film Pete was talking with his friend about what life would be like if Debbie died. Not a painful death but rather a slow death like breathing in Carbon Dioxide. Or maybe even go into a coma and never come out of it. I guess I am sensitive to that because my mom went into a coma and never came out of it and had to be removed off life support and passed away. I don’t find things like comas funny in any way. I found that whole scene a bit disturbing.
Later on in the film when Pete and Debbie are away on a romantic weekend they JOKE about how they would kill each other. That wasn’t as bad as when Pete was seriously discussing it with his friend.
My husband said the film was so depressing that he would rather watch Old Yeller, The Champ and Bambi all in a row rather than watch this film.
Even though this movie is promoted as a comedy, I see it as only a drama. Maybe my sense of humor is off, but personally I didn’t find it funny at all.
Don’t get me wrong. It was a good film and I think a lot of people, whether you are in your 40’s or not, can certainly relate to it. There are aspects of parenting, relationships with both your parents (as an adult) and your significant other and other things that many people can relate to.
There is also a surprise twist at the end that I didn’t see coming either. 🙂
The movie is rated R and is NOT suitable for children. There is nudity, bad language (even the kids in the movie drop the “F bomb” a few times) and mature subject matter. There is even a hot and heavy sex in the shower scene as soon as the film starts.
As far as bonus features go, This is 40 has A LOT. My favorite features were the gag reels (there are two of them). They made me laugh (especially how Paul Rudd has a hard time keeping a straight face sometimes). The Line-o-Ramas were fun too (the actors ran what appear to be random lines during certain scenes – I guess to see what lines worked best).
There are deleted scenes and even extended and alternate scenes (some of them I think should have made it into the film).
I also enjoyed The Making of This is 40. It’s always fun to learn about how a movie came to be, how they decided on the cast and characters and what it was like filming. I think you get a better appreciation for a film when you know what went on behind the scenes to bring the film to life.
As I mentioned there are A LOT of bonus features on the Blu-ray including music, commentary, an uncut/unrated version of the film and much, much more.
Look for This is 40 where ever movies are sold on March 22, 2013.
You can find the official movie website at www.Thisis40Movie.com. You can also follow the film on Facebook and Twitter (the Twitter page has not been updated in a while).
Here is the film’s trailer for your convenience. You can also find the trailer on the This is 40 Movie website.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own adn were not influcned in any way.
sheila ressel says
I wanted to see this at the theater but missed it. I can’t wait to see it on DVD. It looks hilarious!
Sandy VanHoey says
Not too sure this would be one for me either. I’m with you and don’t find much humor in things like comas, etc. Lost 3/4 of my family so I am sensitive as well.
Jennifer Hedden says
I have been wanting to see this movie. I really enjoy Judd Apatow films. I didn’t know the girls were Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann’s daughters. I did enjoy Knocked Up and look forward to watching this movie. Thank you for the review.
Elena says
I saw this movie in theater and loved it. I would get this movie on DVD
Daily Woman (Lacey) says
I have seen this movie and it is so funny. I love movies like this. I would love to see it again on DVD/