Andy (Carell) is a 40-year-old stock supervisor at an electronics store, happy in his orderly life with his videogames and collectible action figures. Then his colleagues (lovelorn Rudd, quirky Rogen, rakish Malco) find out that he's never been with a woman. So they set out to rid him of his pesky virginity. Along the way, he meets a Trish (Keener), who's more than happy to develop a relationship without sex for a change. But not forever.

This could've easily descended into a sniggering, puerile farce, but Apatow and Carell deftly steer it along the razor edge of likeability. Yes, it's pretty ridiculous, and some scenes veer into offensive machismo (the "I knew you were gay because" running gag is vile), but the characters are played with understated charm and extremely quick wit. And there's real chemistry between all of them.

While keeping us laughing, the cast and crew play the story straight. This raw, natural tone infuses even the film's most outrageous sequences--the chest-waxing mixes authenticity and humour Jackass-style, and the sex clinic workshop touches on real insecurities, even as it maintains a wildly comical tone. And along the way the script genuinely taps into issues of masculinity, obsession and attraction. There's even a strong comment on virginity--both Andy's adult variety and as a parent worries about a teen child.

All of this in a thoroughly adult comedy that, refreshingly, isn't toned down for the PG-13 brigade. Apatow knows enough as a director to get out of the way of his actors, and he infuses the film with a wonderful retro quality through the vintage action figures, electronic gadgets, clever references, classic movie clips and musical touches (Michael McDonald?). It is rather long for a comedy. And if we begin to worry that the, ahem, climax can't possibly live up to the hype, we haven't counted on Apatow and Carell's blissfully absurd imagination.

themes, language, vulgarity, sexuality

23.Aug.05