Knocked Up

Year: 2007

Grade: B+

Country: USA

Director: Apatow

Review

i guess one way you can judge the effectiveness of a comedy is its ability to make your jaw sore; this one did it about half way through. it reminded me a bit of there’s something about mary because of the lovable loser who wants to be with the hot chick, but was even more reminiscent of that film because of a particular shot that recalled the “zipper” shot in there’s something about mary. it’s definitely in the same vein as 40 year-old virgin and comes with some of the same characters and the same level of crass humor. what it doesn’t have is steve carrell and quite the same well-rounded cast of secondary characters.

as funny as the film is, it also has the serious side that characterizes judd apatow’s better work. in freaks and geeks and 40 year-old virgin, for example, there is an emotional core that is realistic and even poignant; knocked up continues this tradition and is all the better for it. everyone in the cast does a fine job and i was especially impressed by katherine heigl, who has the toughest role. recommended.

Watched in theater