Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Viewer Rating:spliferooney has rated Forgetting Sarah Marshall rating: 5 Star

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is another smashing success brought to you by Judd Apatow and friends. This time it is Jason Segel's turn to shine and he certainly does not dissapoint with a script that is both laugh out loud funny and emotionally honest.
While one has come to expect Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, and even Segel himself to be on point because of their past turns in other Apatow produced comedies, it is the newcomers that really impress.
Like Christpher Mint-Plaisse as Fogel in "Superbad" it is the ability to find new and original comedic voices that have largely contributed to the success of past Apatow movies like "Superbad", "Knocked up", and even "40 year old virgin".
"Sarah Marshall" introduces the british Comedian Russell Brand to American audiences as Aldous Snow the ultra-ridiculous british rockstar/new boyfriend of Sarah Marshall. Brand has dynamite comic timing and is certainly willing to do anything for a laugh. His interactions with Jonah Hill whose character is obsessed with him are both creepy and laugh out loud funny.
the other real suprise is Mila Kunis. While I enjoyed her as jackie on "That 70's Show", her work here is truly relevatory. While she is essentially playing the requiste "dream girl" she is able to give the part some real depth while giving the movie a real warmth.
The other standout for me was Bill Hader who is funnier everytime I see him. Most will probably recognize him from his work in Superbad as Seth Rogen's partner and in this he plays segel's step-brother who is not afraid to tell Peter exactly how it is.
I also feel I need to mention Kristen Bell who plays Sarah Marshall. While the role is rather thankless she is quite funny and gives the character real bite. She also nails perhaps the most honest scene I have ever seen in a romantic comedy when she finally tells Peter why it didnt work between them. Both actors shine in the scene, but her work is both honest and heartbreaking and gives her character a depth that I certainly was not expecting.
This one is highly recommended

Review published on the 27 October 2009 11:25