This Is 40

[Spielberg_Fan]

I find the Funny People comparison strange. I didn't like Funny People at all, but liked this A LOT. My one friend thinks Funny People is near perfect, and she hated this.

But, like I said, I liked this a lot. It felt a lot more complete than any of Apatow's other films. I think it is pretty accurately tracks the ups and downs of long term relationships. I get some complaints about the "whiney rich white people" thing, and I've definitely complained about it in other films, but it didn't really bother me here. I think it's handled well.

And I will echo some of the people in here regarding Lithgow and Brooks. They are surprisingly excellent in their small roles. Not surprising sine the actors are great, but surprising that they're able to give such great performances in such small roles in this movie.

I didn't find it too long at all, something I've thought about all of Apatow's past films.

[erikdean]

I really, really loved this.

I understand the complaints of how awful everyone is and that they are fraught with 'first world' problems but I don't think it makes the situations, jokes and performances any less hilarious. There were so many scenes that were frighteningly believable (especially as someone who has recently crossed the 40 marker) as well as total wish fulfillment hilarity (Mann's tear down of that kid? LMFAO) that it kind of got to be everything all the time.

[DirkDiggler]

I really, really loved this.

I understand the complaints of how awful everyone is and that they are fraught with 'first world' problems but I don't think it makes the situations, jokes and performances any less hilarious. There were so many scenes that were frighteningly believable (especially as someone who has recently crossed the 40 marker) as well as total wish fulfillment hilarity (Mann's tear down of that kid? LMFAO) that it kind of got to be everything all the time.

[erikdean]

LOL, I knew as soon as I posted that that Dirk would become a barnacle on my ass.

But yeah, I thought this was razor sharp in its details, spry for being 2h 15m long and had six great performances (Mann, Rudd, Lithgow, Brooks and the two girls).

[lazarus]

Can I be an ass-barnacle too??

[MVP of West Hollywood]

I loved this a lot. I actually found it as funny as 40 Year old Virgin and Knocked Up in its own way, but with a deeper dramatic heart recalling Funny People. IMO Apatow's best film and all of 40YOV, Knocked Up, Funny People were great

[Zuranthium]

Yes, this is easily Apatow's best film. It's also one of the best films of the year and THE best ensemble of the year. Pretty much all of the awards attention that Silver Linings Playbook is getting, THIS film should be getting. There's room for both, of course, but I'm sad how overlooked This Is 40 has been.

Let's talk about Leslie Mann. What she did here might actually be my favorite female performance of the year. I loved her limited role in Knocked Up, thought she was worthy of a nom there, and this takes her talents to a whole new level, with flawless comedic timing and such a complete understanding of character. The way she is able to make pretty much everything amusing/hilarious over the course of the whole film, doing it in such a way that it remains completely grounded in realism, and then adding layers of carefully modulated frustration/anger/joy to everything...it's stunning.

Paul Rudd is also superb, delivering another effortless and insightful turn. I felt he had a "breakthrough" with I Love You, Man (deserved Best Actor recognition) and he has hit that peak again, showcasing a rather universal character and stage of life. The whole supporting cast is excellent too, with Albert Brooks and Melissa McCarthy being better here than they were in their acclaimed turns last year, IMO. John Lithgow is a nice treat, Megan Fox has never been better utilized, and both of the daughters fit very well, especially the older one. I really liked Charlyne Yi too, so suck it haters!

None of that actually describes why the film itself is so great, though. This Is 40 achieves so much because it portrays such a wide variety of viewpoints with great honesty and allows us to enjoy slices of life that are actually very difficult, painful, and unavoidable. Yes, the main characters are privileged Beverly Hills dwellers, but the film examines some of their ignorance and draws attention to their excesses. It doesn't condemn their lifestyle, but it doesn't need to either. Let's face it - almost everyone wants a nice house and "nice things", even if we find a lot of flaws in capitalism and/or the greedy American society. There are certainly varying levels of pain and challenge that different people are faced with in life, but everyone has their struggles and this film is the best I've seen with regards to the subject matter it has chosen.

[lazarus]

Yes, this is easily Apatow's best film. It's also one of the best films of the year and THE best ensemble of the year. Pretty much all of the awards attention that Silver Linings Playbook is getting, THIS film should be getting. There's room for both, of course, but I'm sad how overlooked This Is 40 has been.

OMG, Z!!

Let's talk about Leslie Mann. What she did here might actually be my favorite female performance of the year. I loved her limited role in Knocked Up, thought she was worthy of a nom there, and this takes her talents to a whole new level, with flawless comedic timing and such a complete understanding of character. The way she is able to make pretty much everything amusing/hilarious over the course of the whole film, doing it in such a way that it remains completely grounded in realism, and then adding layers of carefully modulated frustration/anger/joy to everything...it's stunning.

YES!! I feel she got all this underground love for her work in Knocked Up, and since then people seem to be getting progressively sick of her to the point where she's seriously underappreciated now and taken for granted. I'm having trouble thinking of another actress who could have been this funny and this empathetic at the same time. The modulation you spoke of--that shit ain't easy.

None of that actually describes why the film itself is so great, though. This Is 40 achieves so much because it portrays such a wide variety of viewpoints with great honesty and allows us to enjoy slices of life that are actually very difficult, painful, and unavoidable. Yes, the main characters are privileged Beverly Hills dwellers, but the film examines some of their ignorance and draws attention to their excesses. It doesn't condemn their lifestyle, but it doesn't need to either. Let's face it - almost everyone wants a nice house and "nice things", even if we find a lot of flaws in capitalism and/or the greedy American society. There are certainly varying levels of pain and challenge that different people are faced with in life, but everyone has their struggles and this film is the best I've seen with regards to the subject matter it has chosen.

Ultimately, so what if Apatow chooses to depict a wealthier family? How many of Woody Allen's films have dealt with the struggles of Upper West Siders? It's autobiographical and it's the world he now knows. It's certainly not treated as end-of-the-world, grand tragedy, what's happening to them.

[MVP of West Hollywood]

Yeah I forgot to mention how surprisingly solid Fox is in this. Actually I randomly didn't even realize it was her until the end credits

[Zuranthium]

So...can more people watch this please?