Director(s): Judd Apatow. Screenplay: Judd Apatow. Cast: Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Alan Tudyk, Kristen Wiig and Harold Ramis. Distributor: Universal Pictures. Runtime: 129 min. Rating: R.
What differentiates Knocked Up from any other rom-com hybrid is its slyness. As with The 40-Year-Old Virgin, director Judd Aptow basically takes a loser, a problem, bases the story on that. Although the idea sounds easy to mock, his formula works; and although The 40-Year-Old Virgin was a tad bit funnier, Knocked Up has more grace.
Relatability is, indeed, quite an appeal to Knocked Up's inner core, as its narrative eschews unwanted pregnancy via the story of Alison (Katherine Heigl) and Ben (Seth Rogen), a mismatched couple whose different lives are accidentally entwined by a one-night stand that results in the previously mentioned pregnancy. Via unique characters and sly comedy, Aptow, who is quite possibly making the finest comedies in Hollywood, ties aspects of maturity, avoiding trite machinations and predictable endings. As Ben - a junkie, lazy boy - prepares for the baby, Allison opts for a little connaisance among characters, which leads to some fine comedy. As the narrative continues, we meet more characters, such as Alison's strong-willed sister, Debbie (Leslie Mann), and her similarly unhappy, wisecracking husband Pete (the typically brilliant Paul Rudd). The cast, as well as Aptow's au-fait script, elate the movie beyond the norm, the product being, as evident from the opening shots, something with buoyant energy sans any particular triteness. And as Aptow's camera adequately captures tension, lament, and comedy, Knocked Up's brilliant last shot evokes a new hope for Alison and Ben.
No comments:
Post a Comment