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Knocked Up (2007)

Director: Judd Apatow

Time Out rating

Average user rating

57 reviews

Synopsis

The director of The 40-Year Old Virgin takes on parenthood.

Movie review

From Time Out London

‘Oh, baby, I like it raw,’ Ol’ Dirty Bastard sings over the opening credits of ‘Knocked Up’. Well, who doesn’t? And so, when slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) thinks Alison (Katherine Heigl), the hot aspiring TV presenter he’s somehow picked up at a club, tells him not to bother with a condom, he doesn’t. The results of this sozzled cock-up are an unwelcome pregnancy and the year’s best comedy; one that confirms the arrival of an extended group of talent that looks set to take the studio comedy crown from the likes of Ferrell, Stiller and Carrey, and deserves to.

Like Judd Apatow’s directorial debut, ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Knocked Up’ takes a subject ripe for bawdy knockabout, delivers that with aplomb – here we get top gags about sneaking a peek at the gynaecologist’s, sex during pregnancy and crowning – but also offers a raft of nuanced, credible and moving relationships between a group of sympathetic, imperfect characters. Here we get Ben’s stoner roommates, whose pastimes include working on a celebrity skin website and not shaving for a year, and Alison’s sister, Debbie (Leslie Mann), whose marriage to Pete (Paul Rudd) offers salutary lessons on the ups and downs of shotgun matrimony a decade on.

Long rehearsals and plentiful improvisation are the trademarks of Apatow’s approach, and his well-established ensemble delivers not only killer laughs but also a palpable sense of affection; the family feel is enhanced by the fact that Mann is Apatow’s wife and Debbie’s kids their own. Both up-to-the-minute pop culture and Ben’s Jewishness are also disarmingly mined to impressive effect, and Rudd’s De Niro impression is an absolute hoot.

Author: Ben Walters 2007-08-20 16:35:49

Time Out London Issue 1931: August 22-28 2007

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User reviews of this film

Emma said...

Posted on Sep 01 2007 08:46 Laugh And A Half!
Came Out Crying With Laughter
Its Laughs All Through!
x

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Kirsty n Sarah said...

Posted on Aug 30 2007 18:26 oh my days..... this film is soooooo funny we were laughing all the way through, would defo go see it again.

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Steve said...

Posted on Aug 29 2007 15:52 Just a fantastic comedy!

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Steven said...

Posted on Aug 29 2007 15:47 This movie was awesome.....I had a good laugh at it. Though, I think it depends on what type of person you are though, and also, I think (thought I am not sure) it was aimed more at men/guys!

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Jo said...

Posted on Aug 28 2007 22:27 An absolute winner and the best comedy I've seen in a long time. The relationships in the film felt very natural and the plot was not at all predictable. Surpassed what I was expecting (crude teenage humour) and actually made me cry at the end! Go see it if you want a really good laugh.

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Sarah said...

Posted on Aug 27 2007 22:46 What a waste of time! The guy was supposed to be 23?? Whatever! If the role was played by someone who looked that young then maybe his behaviour woudl have been slightly more acceptable. The language in teh film was appaling, and there was absolutley no need for it!

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Sarah said...

Posted on Aug 27 2007 22:44 This film is complete pants! The language is completley over the top and there is no need for it. The guy was supposed to be 23?!?! Whatever! Having a guy who actually looked that young woudl have made the behaviour a bit more understandable but as it was, didn't work. Just a complete let down in so many ways!

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Pete said...

Posted on Aug 27 2007 08:10 Judd Apatow, producer turned director, who wrote and directed Knocked
Up scores a double coup in crafting one of the funniest films ever
wrapped around a cocktail of chubby guy meets goddess, laced with
everyday ethics. Against all the odds ever dreamt up by Ben's (Seth
Rogen) band of failing, but tripped out internet wannabees he ends up
in the sack with Alison Scot (Katherine Heigl), the hot media chick
celebrating her promotion to a front of camera role. The script stays
sharply smart throughout the film backed up with superb contributions
from Alison's acid tongued, over the clubbing-hill sister, a mother of
two cutie pie kids, Debbie (Leslie Mann) is still trying to blag her
way into LA night spots whilst fretting that her cool, music promoter
husband Pete (Paul Rudd) is having an affair. An end-to-end tonic of a
movie that'll entertain all and any filmgoers with expectations beyond
teenage pap.

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Matt said...

Posted on Aug 26 2007 19:16 This film is laugh out loud funny from beginning to end any fan of 40yr old virgin will enjoy. Over 2 hours long and it just flew by. The conversation in the hotel room between rogen and rudd is worth the entrance fee alone.
This film seems to be getting mixed reviews but anyone with a funny bone in there body will love it.

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sarah n kellie said...

Posted on Aug 26 2007 19:09 this film is ace.we highly recormend it and you 2 obviously dont no a good film,u just obviously dont seem 2 like this type of films and dont give a bad review when you dont normally watch them.

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warren said...

Posted on Aug 26 2007 10:45 gerard u ryt m8 dont waste ur muni going 2 c this complete waste ov tym lol

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Gerard said...

Posted on Aug 25 2007 02:14 This film was a real let down. After reading your review I expected a lot more...and wasted £6.00 finding out that you were wrong!
The main characters are totally unbelievable as a couple and there is no chemistry between them at all. The supporting cast of 'quirky mates' looked like a desperate attempt to pad out the poorly develop main characters. For your to suggest that they had 'long rehearsals' is probably funnier than any gag in the film!
The only funny character is Katherine Heigls female workmate. She only appears in two scenes and steals them both.
Don't waste your money on this rubbish.
Gerard

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