Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Forty-year-old virgin Andy (Steve Carell, centre) falls victim to a waxing makeover, the brainchild of his friends David (Paul Rudd, left) and Cal (Seth Rogen, centre standing). Waxing lady (Miki Mia) looks on. - CONTRIBUTED
THE 40-Year-Old Virgin is in large part a story of four men acting stupid. The flick is directed by Judd Apatow, who also co-writes it with its star Steve Carell. The 40-Year-Old Virgin swings between being pretty funny and dumb and being occasionally sweet.
It's a story that would normally probably have been about a young boy, which is somehow made to seem funnier because he is a grown man. However, any woman could easily point out that there is generally not that much difference between the two. Of course, seeing that Andy is 40 years old, it does not involve the coming of age and angst that a tale of a young boy would.
SHAMEFUL SECRET
Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) has somehow managed to maintain his virginity until his 40th year. However, when his co-workers discover this (supposedly shameful) secret they are intent upon alleviating him of his affliction, whether he likes it or not. Their approach to his being 'de-virgined' is like Bush's approach to democracy - you will take it whether you want it or not and it will hurt you more than it hurts him.
The creation of Andy's character is steeped in narrow-minded stereotypes of the classic nerd and it almost seems to suggest that a 40-year-old virgin would be a loser in all aspects of his life. Andy is a man who never grew up. He is still living like a boy, surrounded by all his toys and video games. And, apparently, 40-year-old virgins and serial killers have much in common.
The cast is basically decent, with Carell being its greatest asset. He is such a believable picture of naivety and childlike innocence that one cannot help but look at him and laugh. His character is beautifully enhanced by his hair and clothes, which scream of nerdom. Catherine Keener plays Andy's love interest, Trish, while Paul Rudd (David), Romany Malco (Jay) and Seth Rogen (Cal) take on the roles of his idiot buddies. These three engage in deep philosophical conversations that begin with meaningful insights like "I know you're gay
because -?"
JOKES
Most of the jokes are physical, and (not surprisingly) surround sex, talk of sex and sexual mishaps, as Andy attempts to sew his wild oats. Alas, they keep falling on fallow ground, as he seems to mainly encounter crazy women. Indeed, the women he meets make a good argument for why he should remain a virgin. Additionally, the story's premise is not the most plausible and the swearing goes into overkill, largely in a desperate attempt to avoid actual wit and depend on the fact that a little old man and Andy sound funny when they swear.
For the most part the flick is quite devoid of emotional appeal, as the characters are generally too exaggerated and stereotypical for anything more than a surface connection. However, after much of the silliness has gone by the flick, like some 40-year-olds, finally turns toward maturity and becomes about more than just sex.
So, as anyone should expect from the title, The 40-Year-old Virgin is a piece of silliness. It's fun and it does not take itself too seriously. Nor should you.
