Movie: This is 40
Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow and Jason Segel
Rating: ***1/2
Judd Apatow’s “This is 40” is a funny yet intelligent take on the lives of an American couple, played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, in their 40s. Without boasting a plot per se, Apatow throws us in to the lives of a couple filled with aspirations, sufferings and most importantly the fear of touching 40. The references that you see in the film are so real that for a minute you would ask yourself will life be as complicated as it is shown at 40.
Paul and Mann, once a happy couple, are struggling in their respective businesses. They are struggling even at home in their relationship as husband and wife and as parents to their daughters. They fight, their daughters fight, and they all in turn fight with each other. This is followed by few hours of silence, only to be back to square one in no time.
And there are men issues, women issues, children’s issues and even parents’ issues. Despite all this the family finds reasons to stick together. How does this family pull it off? This forms the rest of the story.
It was like taking a leap into the future and looking at ourselves in the characters of Paul and Mann. Don’t be surprised if you are any close to the age group of 40, then I’m sure you wouldn’t even think of denying whatever is presented in the film.
Expecting to be entertained is completely out of the question but the gags and issues that arise, I can tell you, are all extremely hilarious. The best part is that even though these gags are funny, yet they come with an important message worthy of application in our personal lives.
The different references such as unsatisfying sex life, pressure of raising adolescent children, struggling business, and temptation to give in to junk food are all very apt to the context of the film. What also works in the favor of the film is the fact that it leaves you with hope that things will get better, but never really drives that point down to produce sappy, happy ending.
Judd has collaborated with wife Leslie Mann in several films over the years, but to include his daughters as well into this film was very brave of him. The kids with their spirited energy added big-time in both the several comedy scenes and as well as in the narrative’s strewn drama moments.
Rudd and Mann were as usual at their best and pulled off their part effortlessly. Supporting roles by Jason Segel, Robert Smigel and Mellisa McCarthy were good too. Wait for the end credits to catch the bloopers starring Mellisa in probably one of the best moments of the film.
“This is 40” is definitely not Apatow’s best film, but it is certainly one not to be missed