Belly Laughs from Shattered Hearts

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Universal Pictures

Judd Apatow and his buddies have become the comedic heavy hitters du jour in Hollywood over the past couple of years. It’s gotten to the point that even fringe members of his clique are getting their shot at the box office. The latest “favor to friends film” from the Apatow camp comes from Jason Segel who most of you will remember from the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Segel’s connections to Uncle Judd go all the way back to one of the best television series that nobody watched, Freaks and Geeks. His most recent collaboration with Apatow came from last summer’s comedic hit, Knocked Up. Now Segel scripts and stars in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a quirky romantic comedy with great performances, a touch of over-the-top nastiness, and quite a few more laughs than I expected, given the subject matter.

Segel plays Peter Bretter, a lazy musician who loves sweatpants and couch surfing. He makes a living writing the score for a television crime drama which stars his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell from Heroes and Veronica Mars). Peter is satisfied with the rut he’s managed to stay in for the past five years until Sarah dumps him for a hot British pop star (comedian Russell Brand).

On the advice of his stepbrother Brian (Bill Hader from SNL), Peter decides to go to Hawaii to try to get his mind off his troubles but, as luck would have it, Sarah and her new boyfriend are staying at the same hotel. While wading through the self loathing mire, Peter meets Rachel, an employee of the hotel played by Mila Kunis (That 70's Show) and starts to pursue her romantically. Imagine every single uncomfortable situation that this scenario can produce, and you have the crux of the film.

All of the performances are top notch. Segel plays the self-deprecating card with just enough pathos to make him more interesting than you’d expect. Kristen Bell looks great as Sarah and makes her character likeable despite all our inclinations toward regarding her with disdain. One breakout role is Brand's turn as Aldous Snow, the over the top Bono-esque laid back, cause laden rocker who is fond of leather pants and sex with anything with two legs and breasts.



As good as the rest of the cast is, the true gem of this movie is Mila Kunis who has never appeared more gorgeous (easily overshadowing Bell in the looks department) and creates in Rachel a free spirited island girl who is hard not to fall in love with, even from the audience. Even the most pretentious independent filmgoer can’t help but cross his fingers for a clichéd happy ending for this lovely rebound girl.

As far as the laughs go, this film has them in spades and, while there is a bit of the old “grossout” stuff, most of the laughs come from cast interaction. I will issue a warning, however - we’ve got full frontal nudity here, and not from any of the lovely ladies in the cast, so be prepared! Also, don’t blink or you might miss Apatow alum Paul Rudd as a flaky surf instructor who steals just about every scene they give him. I offer my kudos to first time director Nicholas Stoller who proves that he has the comedic timing thing totally under control.



Who can’t identify with the concept of being unceremoniously discarded by someone you love? Hell, even Jennifer Aniston got kicked to the curb by Brad Pitt! When I got destroyed by a girl I once though I would marry, I was so useless, I couldn't listen to any music other than Alice Cooper, lest I be reminded of my sorrow. Man, was I ever pathetic! Forgetting Sara Marshal brings back those memories but in a way that makes us laugh at how ridiculous we can be in the face of heartbreak. As long as you aren't hours removed from your own Dear John (or Dear Jane) moment, it's hard not to be entertained by this film.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is now in theatres.