Forgetting Sarah Marshall - R

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Breakup comedy not as crass as other Apatow hits.

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Rating: R for sexual content, language and some graphic nudity. Studio: Universal Studios Directed By: Nicholas Stoller Cast: Jason Segel, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell Running Time: 111 minutes Release Date: 04/17/2008 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this comedy -- which was produced by Knocked Up director Judd Apatow -- is actually a lot less crass than the other hit movies he's worked on ... despite the fact that it features full-frontal male nudity right off the bat. In fact, it's downright warm-and-fuzzy in parts, revealing the heartache of breakups and the complexities of relationships. All of that said, it can't avoid its Apatowian roots altogether; there's plenty of salty language (from "f--k" to "b-tch"), sexual content, social drinking, and references to drug use.

Families can talk about how the filmmakers deal with the fine line between being crude and being funny. Which side do they fall on more often? Who decides where that line falls to begin with? Families can also discuss why breakups are popular fodder for movies. Where's the humor in the end of a relationship? Why do you think Sarah breaks up with Peter to begin with? Was his reaction surprising or understandable?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: S. Jhoanna Robledo

When his TV actress girlfriend, the titular Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), calls to say she's arrived home early from a trip and is coming over, Peter (Jason Segel) hustles to get his apartment cleaned and strips naked, hoping for an action-packed homecoming. Instead, she dumps him (while he's still naked), sending him into paroxysms of grief. To forget her, he heads to Hawaii -- but, as luck would have it, she's vacationing there, too, with her new beau, rocker Aldous Snow (British comic Russell Brand). In no short order, Peter careens from pining for Sarah to hooking up with hotel clerk Rachel (Mila Kunis). Forgetting Sarah Marshall isn't really all that difficult -- or is it?

From the movie's skin-baring set-up to its end credits, you can't help but root for Peter, a musician who's wasted his talents scoring Sarah's stereotypical crime show instead of working on the vampire puppet opera that showcases his quirky sense of humor. Segel, who wrote the script, is as appealing here as he is on his own TV show, How I Met Your Mother. He has an ear for dialogue and manages to convey the complexity of relationships. And he's supported by a winning cast (his chemistry with Kunis is particularly fantastic) -- the most memorable are Brand, who's simply perfect as Snow, and Paul Rudd, who plays a surfing guru who's taken one toke too many.

But no matter how much you root for Peter, something's missing from this Judd Apatow-produced film when it comes to genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Chuckles, yes, but belly laughs? Not so much. That's because the scenes feel curiously un-punchy; it's as if we've heard these jokes before. Even the much-talked-about naked scene is a letdown (no lewd pun intended). It's just not as funny as it could be. That may be because director Nicholas Stoller allows the movie to meander from one mishap to the next without differentiating peaks from valleys.

Older teens and adults who enjoy this kind of comedy won't want to miss Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, or Superbad.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Lots of jokes about sex; the first major scene involves repeated male full-frontal nudity, as well as naked backside shots. The main character is later shown having tons of one-night stands. Simulated sex acts in various positions. Couples cuddle post-coitus under sheets. A man teaches another man -- who is inexperienced -- his sexual tricks by humping large chess pieces. A honeymooner laments his new bride's excessive sexual demands and complains about not being able to find part of a woman's anatomy.
Violence Some loud arguments between couples; a bar owner beats Peter up for trying to steal a picture; two guys shove each other at the beach.
Language Lots of cursing, including many uses of "s--t," "dick," "bitch," and "f--k."
Message
	Social Behavior Couples cheat on each other and cover up their misdeeds with lies. Still, friends back each other up and exes find a way to talk maturely about their failed relationships and what they appreciate about each other.
	Commercialism Some hotel signage; Sean John, Sesame Street, Elmo, and Fraggle Rock are all name-checked. Logo for O'Neill surfing gear is prominently displayed.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Lots of getting sloshed, especially post-breakup. Some references to buying, selling, and smoking weed.