On the Big Board |
Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
5/60 |
Les Winan |
Jokes fly faster than you can keep up. Steve Carell's performance is so shockingly good you almost don't realize how nuanced it is. |
16/85 |
Kim Hollis |
Sweet, funny and charming. Steve Carell is a worthy breakout star. |
18/166 |
David Mumpower |
A wonderful ending boosts an otherwise good movie into a great one. And it does feature the best scene of 2005. |
After becoming a cult favorite thanks to his television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the multi-talented Judd Apatow took a stint as a producer on a little 2004 comedy known as Anchorman. There, he became acquainted with the scene-stealer of the movie, Steve Carell. Thanks to that fortunate meeting of the minds, the duo is now collaborating on a project of their own, giving Apatow the opportunity to direct his first ever feature film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Carell.
That movie has what is perhaps the ultimate truth-in-advertising title. The 40 Year-Old Virgin is about exactly that. Although it seems impossible in a day and age when fair percentages of ninth graders admit to having had at least oral sex, the main character, Andy Stitzer (Carell) has somehow managed to avoid intercourse during his four decades on the planet. This might make him a candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records for Oldest Living Virgin Outside a Convent or Monastery, but his friends have a lot of trouble accepting that this is Andy’s lot in life.
The thing is, despite the fact that Andy has so far shunned carnal delights, it’s not because he’s a complete social outcast. Our hero has a great job at an electronics superstore, a fine apartment replete with a none-too-surprising collection of action figures and comic books, and a whole slew of friends. These friends, however, are dumbfounded when they discover that Andy really hasn’t ever…you know. And frankly, he doesn’t seem particularly concerned if he ever has sex – good or otherwise. So his friends and co-workers make it their mission to get Andy a woman, and given that Andy is a decent enough looking guy with nice manners and a pleasant demeanor, they don’t believe that task will be especially difficult.
But difficult is exactly what it turns out to be, for Andy is pretty much asexual and not any too keen to be deflowered, much to the chagrin of his loyal buddies. Andy continues to decline any and all chances to get laid, and it seems all his pals’ efforts will be in vain…until Andy meets Trish (Catherine Keener), a 40-year-old mother of three. Andy falls the proverbial head-over-heels for Trish, and his friends are elated that Andy will finally get some. That is, until Andy informs them that he and Trish have embarked on their relationship with a no-sex policy. Will his friends be able to convince Andy to convince Trish to rock his world? Or will Andy go to his grave never having tasted the pleasures of the flesh? (Stephanie Star Smith/BOP)
Vital statistics for The 40 Year-Old Virgin |
Main Cast |
Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Seth Rogen |
Supporting Cast |
Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Kat Dennings, Marika Dominczyk, Siena Goines, Jonah Hill, Mindy Kaling, Jane Lynch, Erica Vittina Phillips, Chelsea Smith, Romany Malco, Shelley Malil |
Director |
Judd Apatow |
Screenwriter |
Judd Apatow, Steve Carell |
Distributor |
Universal |
Trailer |
Click Here for Trailer
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Official Site |
http://www.the40yearoldvirgin.com/ |
Rating |
R |
Screen Count |
2,845 |
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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