“The Fresh 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN”

By: Dan Jones

We were in favor of the Judd Apatow POW! to the screen when he produced “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” It wasn’t yet revealing Apatow’s voice (no writing or directing credit), but one felt the change of comedy. Director Adam McKay (“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) and Apatow weren’t hiding the fact they were fooling around with a bunch of celebrities dressed as 70’s news anchors. We were invited to join the wrap party.

Then came a title that stopped you from hatefully flipping through a tabloid magazine: “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and a clip of a man in a bike helmet.

“The 40 Year Old Virgin” starred the some-what-funny guy with one expression from “The Daily Show” (the now-famous Steve Carell). An intriguing movie poster followed resembling a high school senior picture of, apparently, a 40 year old. The first to hear of this movie title (no wide-release trailer yet) were surely as clueless looking as Carell’s movie poster face. Was there going to be more than just a clever title and ridiculous poster?

Critics who reviewed the early film festival screenings raved over “The 40 Year Old Virgin.” Internet gossip involved Steve Carell being nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an actor – Musical/Comedy (which he wasn’t). But the critics were right. The teenagers were right. The prudes were squeamish, but had to admit everyone else was right. “The 40 Year Old Virgin” was a vulgar inspirational piece about … finding love.

The unusual screenplay, written by Apatow and Steve Carell, brings back the horny men of the 70’s and 80’s who talk about sex at their job, after they get off, before they get off, and after they get off. Character traits and developments are sometimes pushed on us; but again, “The 40 Year Old Virgin” was an independent movie which had no built-in audience. The dialogue is direct and shocking, but actors’ deliveries make moments of uncertainty explode with that Apatow POW! Yes, he said that, and it was hysterical that he said it that way.

The most unique characters and lines arise when racist topics and theories are made. Specific stereotypes are muddled with other stereotypes, and often contradicted by the race that brought up the stereotype in the first place. It’s a thin line to walk and is why this ingredient is hard to come by in today’s comedies.

The unrated DVD version of the virgin specifies that it “Now Lasts 17 Minutes Longer” and does refrain from cutting up extended chitchat, which some may prefer. If you haven’t seen “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” or are coming back for more, keep in mind the end credits should have started once the chorus of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In kicked in. (We smile accordingly, but there’s no punch before the credits roll over the “Hair” (1979) homage.)

Since “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” Apatow has hidden behind his title as Producer and credited here and there as a collaborating writer (or the one behind a story). So not every raunchy, smart-aleck, character-driven movie is his, but he did show how many perverse, sexual conversations transpire between 20-40 year old men.

Other creations of over-the-top characters and oddball segments have been sneaking into the 21st century comedies just to show us they’re having a good time, but you shouldn’t assume your audience is in on the joke. Timing, presentation, and delivery matter. Some comedic filmmakers have been having too good of a time and have forgotten the responsibility they have when following Apatow’s method. They can’t rewrite the rewritten formula as a rough improv sketch and then release it as a full-blown movie.

There’s an attraction and something about “The 40 Year Old Virgin” that still turns us on and has inspired the world of free spirits encountering pain and life-changing difficulties to work hard at correcting the comedy genre. The Apatow approach keeps one’s interest as a believer and not just a dweeb who needs vulgarities shoved in between monologues.

No. I’d say most of the babies popping out since are not arousing us enough to forget our first time with “The 40 Year Old Virgin.” Remember your first true love.

- THE FRAME RATE -

“The 40 Year Old Virgin”

“Knocked Up”

(Stars Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel)

Since giant prints of “Knocked Up” reviews were displayed in the theater lobbies ─ a sign of our dedication to Apatow for pulling off another winner (second movie under his direction), the name Judd Apatow has been in the comedy cult circle. All right, so the doctors of “Knocked Up” are only a step above the corny doctor scenes from past comedies, but remember what you’re watching – a meaningful, dirty movie about growing up.

“Funny People”

(Stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, many comedians and celebrities)

“Funny People” was Apatow’s gamble, attempting the serious film involving funny people in funny/sad situations. Unfortunately, the “funny” moments consisted of stand-up comedians jamming gross-out jokes down your throat. A second viewing comes across as half-movie/half-stand-up filler because the routines have nothing to do with the storyline. The heart and family complications are captured, and you’re not persuaded to feel bad or dwell on a topic; but, perhaps, you can understand why some funny people don’t feel anything.

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