Spring Break
Apatow translates males psyche in 'Knocked Up'
By: Aatish Nath
Issue date: 6/1/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 4:11 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 4:11 AM EST
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 4:11 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 4:11 AM EST
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Knocked Up is another hilarious movie from Judd Apatow, the man who gave us The 40 Year Old Virgin. The story revolves around Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl), a goal-oriented working woman, and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), a stoner who's living off the settlement money he got when he was hit by a truck at the age of fourteen. Ben and Alison meet one night a club when Alison is out with her sister to celebrate a promotion, and one thing leads to another. Eight weeks later, Alison finds out she's pregnant.
Alison is determined not to turn into her control freak sister (Leslie Mann) and her disappointed husband (Paul Rudd) and does everything in her power to make things work.
After a good beginning, the movie starts to go downhill and the story then becomes predictable. To the film's credit, even though the plot is predictable, the laughs are anything but. This is a movie that has more laughs than they could stick in a preview, and as a result, audiences will be in for a treat.
The performances by all the actors are really good, though Rudd really shines, especially when the boys head to Las Vegas for a weekend. Also performing solidly is Jason Segel, who in a supporting role still manages to give a memorable performance.
Both Heigl and Rogen give convincing performances, with the former proving she can do comedy. Helping out the central characters are a host of memorable cameos from the likes of Ryan Seacrest and Steve Carrell.
One of the reasons this film will work is that most of the dialogue and the situations rings true for most people. Judd Apatow understands what men are thinking and is able to translate it into a script that even women will enjoy. This movie feels like a comedy with a romantic edge, and though that may be the basis of most comedies, the movie is able to balance the two so that everyone can enjoy it. It's a good movie for a night out with the guys or to see with your special someone.
Alison is determined not to turn into her control freak sister (Leslie Mann) and her disappointed husband (Paul Rudd) and does everything in her power to make things work.
After a good beginning, the movie starts to go downhill and the story then becomes predictable. To the film's credit, even though the plot is predictable, the laughs are anything but. This is a movie that has more laughs than they could stick in a preview, and as a result, audiences will be in for a treat.
The performances by all the actors are really good, though Rudd really shines, especially when the boys head to Las Vegas for a weekend. Also performing solidly is Jason Segel, who in a supporting role still manages to give a memorable performance.
Both Heigl and Rogen give convincing performances, with the former proving she can do comedy. Helping out the central characters are a host of memorable cameos from the likes of Ryan Seacrest and Steve Carrell.
One of the reasons this film will work is that most of the dialogue and the situations rings true for most people. Judd Apatow understands what men are thinking and is able to translate it into a script that even women will enjoy. This movie feels like a comedy with a romantic edge, and though that may be the basis of most comedies, the movie is able to balance the two so that everyone can enjoy it. It's a good movie for a night out with the guys or to see with your special someone.
