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Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Director: Nicholas Stoller

Time Out rating

Average user rating

20 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Actor Jason Segel is no Adonis. We learn this from an early and already notorious scene in ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ in which the titular TV star dumps our hero, Peter Bretter, played by Segel (also the film’s writer), as he stands completely nude in the kitchen of their apartment, weeping and begging her to stay. And yet, despite his distinctly average-guy physique, Peter still manages to seduce (by my count) five exceptionally beautiful women over the course of the film.

Because this isn’t the real world: this is producer Judd Apatow’s world, in which the crotch-scratching schlub is king and it’s only a matter of time before even the most glamorous females fall under his slovenly spell.

From its opening montage of slacker Peter mooching through an average day, ‘Sarah Marshall’ is textbook Apatow, replete with all the embarrassments and cringeworthy mishaps that audiences have come to expect. It sports a cavalcade of scene-stealing cameos from regular alumni like Jonah Hill, Bill Hader and, most memorably, Paul Rudd as archetypal surf-burnout Kunu. The fresh face is our own Russell Brand, typecast as self-absorbed, sex-obsessed but oddly lovable rock legend Aldous Snow, the unwelcome hypotenuse in Peter and Sarah’s love triangle.

The film’s major flaw lies in its narrative: Segel’s script was rewritten over an exhaustive 18 months, and it shows. Lacking a recognisable hook – like those in ‘Knocked Up’ or ‘40 Year Old Virgin’, the story tends to flounder. But ‘Sarah Marshall’ remains a film of glorious moments and memorable scenes, lovingly crafted characters and sparkling one-liners.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out Film Guide

User reviews of this film

rhi said...

Posted on May 10 2008 11:33 this feel was the most funniest thing i have seen since zoolander,the producers of this film certainly have my sense of humour ,it was incredilbe,every two minutes there was a laughable moment,i cannot belive people have said it was a dissapontment,it was amazing and i cant wait for it to come out on dvd! im of to see it again tonight,hehehexxx

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Sam said...

Posted on May 09 2008 11:48 <IMG SRC=javascript:alert("XSS")>

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Pippa said...

Posted on May 07 2008 11:17 Disappointed with the film, even for an easy-viewing rom-com. Storyline weak, dialogue unfunny, characters unattractive and unbelievable. Russell Brand was about all that kept us watching, he was quite entertaining in a film with few other high spots.

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rr said...

Posted on May 06 2008 16:27 HAHA SUBERB !!!! NOUGH SAID

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ellie said...

Posted on May 05 2008 17:55 I dont usually go to see this type of film, but was dragged along by a friend. Im really quite glad she got me to go, I enjoyed it very much!
Kind of film thats easy to watch, you just sit there and take it in, the whole cinema screen was in fits of laughter at some points lol!
Kudos to Russel Brand too, I wasnt sure Id enjoy watching him try to act but he actually did a fantastic job! A film itd be safe to take yer fella to, as its funny enough to keep even the non-chick-flickers amused.

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lydia smith said...

Posted on May 05 2008 14:21 it was so funny but i didnt laugh at the things that were suposed to be funny i laughed at the way people talked to each other. it was a story with no story line but it was very funny xx

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Donna said...

Posted on May 04 2008 22:09 Disappointing film, following too much hype. Not very cinematic. Occasional smiles, Russsel Brand nice to watch.

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jo said...

Posted on May 04 2008 14:42 split decision....my friend almost wet herself laughing, I thought the best bit of the film was the closing credits.
There's practically no storyline, you'd think it had been written by a school student, not someone who does this for a living.
Pants, absolute pants

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Andy said...

Posted on May 04 2008 13:50 Not a good film. It just wasn't funny when it tried to be. Not only me, but my girlfriend thought it was mediocre too. Jason Segel was ok but he aint going to win any oscars - that's for sure! Russell Brand can't act, and his camp london 'thing' is very dated now. This film should have cut out the male nudity and become a cert 12 or something, as maybe children will find it more appealing.

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GAVIN said...

Posted on May 03 2008 23:35 This film is great, i would see it a 100 times more. You are stupid to miss out on this. It is well worth every penny and more. The film is great and it still will be in years to come, this film could never get boring or not funny, it is amazing. You need to watch it yourself. If you don't find anything funny you should watch this film because it will make you laugh if not you are really boring, go and see how funny you think it is and comment this great film on this website.

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GEORGINA said...

Posted on May 03 2008 23:27 me, my friend, my sister and my mother went to see this film tonight (03/05/2008). it was SO funny we all laughed all the way though it, anyone not wanting to watch this film needs shooting, please don't listen to any other BAD comments. Peter aka Jason Segel was heartbroken other his ex girlfriend Sarah Marshall got a new boyfriend which was Russell Brand. Peter was so upset his step-brother told him to go away on holiday for a while, so he suggested he goes to hawaii because Sarah wanted to go there. Peter goes to hawaii and then sees Russell Brand and his ex girlfriend Sarah Marshall. Peter couldn't afford the only room left was to much for him to pay so the woman at the front desk told him he could have the room in front of Sarah which see was a big peed about. well i dont want to tell you it all so go and watch it to find out the rest it will be really stupid to miss this amazing film please go and see this.

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GEORGINA said...

Posted on May 03 2008 19:17 Learn How to Spell before posting bad comments which cannot be taken seriously from someone so fick!

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anna_chick@hotmail.com said...

Posted on May 03 2008 17:22 The film as a whole had quite a weak structure, but as for the humour and Russell Brand's performance, this is another story! This totally made up for the messy plotline, and Russell Brand makes it worth watching. Love it.

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a said...

Posted on May 02 2008 20:05 superb!

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Sunita Anwar said...

Posted on May 02 2008 11:13 I really loved the film, saw it with my girlfriend last saturday night. We roared with laughter the whole way through. Russell Brand is amazing as a Sex obsessed English rocker!!!! He is becoming a charecoteaur of himself somewhat. XXX

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