THIS IS 40 (B+)

Bottom Line: Director Judd Apatow brings us a genial, madcap and harried look behind the middle age, married couple curtain and exposes a ton of truths that – at least on some levels – exist in most people’s day-to-day lives.  Everything is covered with purposeful ups-and-downs: wives, husbands, children, jobs, mortgages, parents, in-laws, communication, privacy, celebrations, intimacy, etc.  The end result is a bountiful mish-mash of comedy!  Some critics, who have apparently and unfortunately not yet experienced real life, have panned it for its disjointed style – but that’s the way life works – a lesson that’ll be harshly learned once said critics move outta their parent’s basements.  This movie moves with the chaotic fluidity it should…and rarely lets up.  As is the way with most Apatow directed flicks (KNOCKED UP, FUNNY PEOPLE), it gets a little long in the tooth in terms of running time – which does take a bit of the edge off what he’s trying to accomplish – but it still remains an honest, heartfelt and witty study on the daily rigors of family life.  When I get there, I’ll gladly look forward to THIS IS 50.

Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Albert Brooks, Jason Segel, John Lithgow, Melissa McCarthy and Megan Fox
Directed by: Judd Apatow (KNOCKED UP, FUNNY PEOPLE and THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN)
Rated: R
Running time: 134 minutes
Story: Writer/director/producer Judd Apatow brings audiences This Is 40, an original comedy that expands upon the story of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from the blockbuster hit Knocked Up as we see first-hand how they are dealing with their current state of life. -- (C) Universal

Trailer: www.thisis40movie.com