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Knocked Up (2007)

Director: Judd Apatow

5

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

  • gordon muir said...
    Posted on Sep 07 2007 10:54 The guy who played the lead role is now 25 years old, ever tried using the internet dumbell.
    this film is very delightful and it's not really a comedy it's more like eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, it is very very funny at points and the rest is a heartwarming story of a couple trying to coincide to raise a near born child.
    if you think this is just another unfunny american comedy then look again, it's not by the writers of scary movie.
    Report as inappropriate
  • the bra with no name said...
    Posted on Sep 06 2007 15:12 the first 10 minutes were hilarious, immensley outrageous. But then i fell asleep. Im sure the rest was good too!
    Report as inappropriate
  • Charis Corrie said...
    Posted on Sep 06 2007 13:47 Well i thought that it was the best funny film this year. I was in pain from laughing so much. Would def go see it again, well worth going to the cinema. Fab film.
    Report as inappropriate
  • Handjob said...
    Posted on Sep 05 2007 15:02 I like it dirty
    Report as inappropriate
  • be be said...
    Posted on Sep 04 2007 20:55 I am intelligent with high IQ, the person who said that this was for people with under 50 has obviously had a humour by pass sometime, loved this silly and predictable tale, good for a non taxing, easy to watch funny film. My french boyfriend loved it too, crying with laughter. Wanted to go straight back and see it again.
    Go have fun..............
    Report as inappropriate
  • Jess said...
    Posted on Sep 04 2007 15:27 Truly dreadful film, typical non-funny American humour. No depth and the storyline is ridiculous.
    Report as inappropriate
  • shannon said...
    Posted on Sep 04 2007 09:21 this was sooooooo funny, i laufed all the way thru!
    it was very graphical tho lol
    saw abit too much! haha
    v. good film
    10/10
    Report as inappropriate
  • cooldudette x said...
    Posted on Sep 03 2007 16:46 ? x
    Report as inappropriate
  • Sexual Healing said...
    Posted on Sep 03 2007 15:00 faf
    Report as inappropriate
  • stanley said...
    Posted on Sep 03 2007 14:59 immense man, i loved it am off to see it again
    Report as inappropriate
  • Chris said...
    Posted on Sep 02 2007 16:03 brilliant film, really funny. this is where you report on the film, insnt it??? but then people put i haven't seen it!!!! hhhmmmmm im can see where they are coming from!! honest!!
    Report as inappropriate
  • jenny said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 18:18 worst movie ive ever seen. had a bad story line and was just not funny. makes me shudder thinking about it.
    DONT WATCH THIS MOVIE!
    Report as inappropriate
  • wobbly willy said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 13:33 crappy
    Report as inappropriate
  • Jamielee said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 12:38 Only Got 1 Word 2x Say ... Superb!! J x
    Report as inappropriate
  • gigia said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 10:11 immensely
    Report as inappropriate
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