A really delightful little watch, This is 40 brings some great laughs to a portrayal of a reality that can be anything from unpleasant to even hellish. This film gives married life the Knocked Up comedy treatment as it takes a very close look at a family of four and how they come into both conflict and resolution.
Labelled as a ‘sort of’ sequel to the pregnancy comedy Knocked Up, this film is about the married life of Pete (Paul Rudd), Debbie (Leslie Mann) and their two daughters, Sadie and Charlotte (Maude and Iris Apatow). The film starts with Debbie and Pete turning 40 in the same week. Although Pete seems pretty content with the thought, Debbie is not ready for 40 and decides to stay in her 30s for a bit longer. They have a party planned for later on, and what ensues during the rest of the film can only be described as an exaggerated story of married life.
The plot throws a series of spanners in the works, such as the difficulties of financially dependent parents (who have had triplets at 60 years old!), failing businesses, children growing up and being snotty teenagers; as well as the more personal problems of coming to terms with middle age and learning to love one another through it all. The plot at times seems un-inventive as it throws one problem after another at the family. There seems to be little evidence of the traditional story arc of one grand disruption and resolution, as it favours a continuous series of problems to be overcome. This may seem tiresome at times but ultimately it mirrors reality, and so makes the story that much more believable.
This is 40 provides some really great laughs and this definitely saves it from being too sombre amongst all the family disaster. Rude jokes are found in abundance here; from shop assistants on drugs, how to tell the difference between and gay and straight men’s moustaches, how to kill a spouse humanely, and the emotional connection your teenage daughter has with the show Lost.
The cast do a sterling job and make the whole thing quite engrossing and entirely believable. Leslie Mann as the nagging and moaning mother, Paul Rudd as the father trying to find escape in his life, and the daughters just trying to survive fitting in at school and their parents’ general craziness. There are also some great supporting performances from the lovable Jason Segal, Megan Fox, Charlyne Li (the stoner girlfriend from Knocked Up) and Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids). The production is fantastic and the musical score provides great accompaniment to the story. Writer Director Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40 year old Virgin) all in all did a great job in making a light hearted comedy that pokes fun at the challenges of adult life.
Overall Verdict: Although lacking the shock value of films such as Knocked up, This is 40 is a great comedy that most will thoroughly enjoy. Although there are moments of seriousness, in general the film is a good viewing that will definitely having you laughing out loud. Great performances from the cast bring this story home and make for really engaging viewing. Very recommended.
Reviewer: Kevin van der Ham