THIS IS 40 - Review

This Is 40


2 hours, 13 minutes

Comedy, 2012

Directed by Judd Apatow

Starring
Paul Rudd
Leslie Mann
Maude Apatow
Iris Apatow
Megan Fox
Albert Brooks
John Lithgow
Melissa McCarthy
Chris O'Dowd



"Should we get a block of porn?"
"I don't think we need 24 hours of porn."
"Yeah, but you know, two porns cost about as much as a block."
"I think that's too much porn."
"We don't have to watch it all, but for the value it makes sense."


This Is 40 is, unfortunately, is ALMOST Judd Apatow's masterpiece. For years he's been making great romantic comedies (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and has produced and written even more. It seemed like this would be his greatest achievement yet. No ridiculous set up or plot, just a very funny and realistic look at marriage. At least, that's what the trailers made it out to be.
Don't get me wrong, it's a very funny movie. The actors have exceptional chemistry and great performances, but often times small plots are brought up and dismissed carelessly. They don't go anywhere, and while the bits are funny, they don't really add a ton to the experience. They just take up time.
And boy, does this movie take up time. It's way longer than it should be, but only maybe by about 15 minutes. The thing is, the movie never really drags on and it's never that boring... but it's still funny. I don't know if that's a good trade off, but that's your decision to make.
The acting is pretty good, with some surprising performances by the kids, Maude and Iris Apatow (daughters of Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow). They have a very real dynamic with Leslie Mann (I mean, she's their actual mother, what do you expect?) and have tons of great exchanges, particularly with 13 year old Maude's obsession with Lost and Iris just being an adorable 8 year old. And, somehow, Megan Fox didn't completely piss me off. In fact, she was actually pretty good.
I wanted to like This Is 40 much more than I did, but I'd still recommend it to anyone who's a big fan of Apatow's movies. As I watched the trailers, I was excited, hoping it would be Apatow's finest hour. At least it's still funny.

7.5/10