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Bookmark this pageForgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Director: Nicholas Stoller
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
User reviews of this film
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- Raj said...
- Posted on Apr 30 2008 10:22 Saw this film last night expecting it to be good. I was very disappointed to say the least, wasn't funny at all don't waste your money!
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- sam said...
- Posted on Apr 27 2008 16:31 film was quality one of the best films seen in a long time funny all the way threw and i fort brand played a good part in the film and i never fort id say that well worth to watch
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- Norbert said...
- Posted on Apr 26 2008 02:40 Seen it last night, brilliant movie. As I hated Russell Brand before, now I think he is good at what he's good at! He really is. Whole film is vero funny story, lots of good stuff. Not necessarily liked the scene when Peter is naked in front of his girlfriend showing off his willy, but let them girls have their "moments" in the movie, let it be!
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- chris doman said...
- Posted on Apr 25 2008 03:12 Not a great vehicle for Brand's talents, his radio show is terrific but I'm afraid he struggles to improvise comedicaly when acting. The Jimmy Carr lookalike actor playing Peter's brother is very funny indeed and saves the film at times. There are funny moments and some funny characters but the film as a whole is a little weak.
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- Kim said...
- Posted on Apr 24 2008 13:41 I went to see this last night and i thought it was fantastic! I laughed all the way through!
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- usman khawaja said...
- Posted on Apr 23 2008 23:03 a must -see great modern satire on centemporary sexuality -brand rocks as a rocker
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- usman khawaja said...
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Posted on Apr 23 2008 23:02
branded britsh humour
this is the most sarcastic movie i have seen recently on contemporary sexual attitudes ,you will agree that the word -dumping a lover -is a virtual clone in itself used by insecure and selfish individuals and sarah is one such typical plastic female -she is defined well by bell,but the movie belongs to brand and segel ,the two rivals vying for her charms,the sex comedy is crude at times but it has a sharp edge and a vivid intelligence and i am going for a second helping soon ,
the british rocker comes up with some great subtle lines and double entendres and segel is a very nartural actor .
the movie might be set in hawaii,but it is a hedonistic ,humourous almost sensuously sybaritic look at sexuality ,is there any other subject that haunts us more in todays insanely erotic environment .
even paul rudd as the surfer is hilarious and the dialogue is cerebrally scintillating and very real too,the ability of this movie to get into your mind is almost incredible as it permeates into your deep subconcious and it asks some very serious questions in a very funny way .
almost like a modern day greek comedy ,whoever wrote this was riding a high and deserves applause ,as it doesnt seem manufactured but rather an outburst of passionate creativity .
this is a must see and i was really sulking when i went in, and it made me really squeak with delight with its brilliant,unsubtle yet appropriatel dark satire,
i do agree that there are cliches like the glossy women and the lush tropical sights of hawaii ,but it all looks gorgeous along with the two female leads and nothing offensive about that .
i think we need to see more comic capers like these where british and american male comic stereotypes can be challenged ,as i am sick of the laurel and hardy imitations .
brand is a great revelation here and his humour needs to be showcased more often ,he had me in splits virtually throughout with his dry ,deadpan antics and segal was a delight with his droll,dumb guy ,easily distracted ,all american white boy version which takes on a new identity with not being scared to show milky white love handles and just act like an ordinary man with normal reactions and realistic expectations .truly delightful -must see.
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- CF said...
- Posted on Apr 23 2008 21:28 This film is SO bad that they can't even find a funny bit to put in the trailer. Awful.
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- saliwa said...
- Posted on Apr 23 2008 07:49 The comment youit was so bad dont see it you will regret it
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- jamie said...
- Posted on Apr 22 2008 09:37 the preview is funny as out so the film rocks
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Cast & crew
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Liz Cackowski full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 15
Duration: 111 mins
UK Release: Apr 25 2008
US Release: Apr 18 2008
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