Forgetting Sarah Marshall

 

 

By George "El Guapo" Roush

 

Know what I'm getting tired of hearing? "The Apatow Camp." Why is everything that now has to do with comedy being related to Judd Apatow? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the man. I think he's very talented and surrounds himself with talented people, but it is overkill. Granted, every single comedy out is being produced, directed or written by him. But let's give someone else some credit for once. Since I can't think of anyone else that's actually talented right now I guess I'll have to thank him anyway. Crap! I'm stuck in the same vicious circle like everyone else.

 

Onto the newest Apatow creation: Forgetting Sarah Marshall. In it, Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) has been dating television star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) for years when one day she comes over to his place and breaks up with him. Desperate to get over it, he goes on vacation to the Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu and happens to run into Sarah and her new rocker boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Panicking, he tries to get over his love for Sarah with the help of his best friend Brian (Bill Hader) and resident resort front desk hottie Rachel (Mila Kunis).

 

Forgetting is Segel's feature film writing debut and he hits this one out of the park. In fact, unless he actually had help from Apatow, his writing actually surpasses that of the director's. It's similar, but the jokes are more consistent and less repetitive. Yes, you get some jokes you've heard before, but the script stays as original as it can.

 

I'm sure guys will say "No way a chick like that would date a chick like him." But in Hollywood one thing that's believable is an actress would date a goofy dude like Segel. Look at Jessica Alba walking around with that her baby daddy Cash Wanker or whatever his name is. The scenes between Peter and Sarah were really funny, especially the awkward nude scene. I really didn't need to see this guy's penis like four times though. It was too much and now I can't even look at my own penis for at least another three months.

 

Pretty much every scene in Forgetting had a laugh in it; from Brian giving advice to Peter via webcam to Aldous and Sarah exploring the strangest sexual positions. Speaking of Aldous, Brand almost steals this movie from the other actors. I've never seen the guy before but his comedy career is going to take off after the release of this film.

 

Lucky for audiences Forgetting Sarah Marshall moves at a brisk pace with no dead spots and stays away from a predictable third act scene involving Sarah's sexual attempt at trying to get Peter back. Yes, you know how the film will end, but ignoring the obvious it's a fun ride getting there. And with Segal writing the next Muppet movie, I'm at ease knowing he will breathe new life into that fantastic franchise . . . as long as we don't have to see any Kermit wang.