Forgetting Sarah Marshall (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Not as crass as other Apatow hits, but still not for kids.


parents & educators say
  • 36% say sexual content is an issue
  • 29% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: 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.
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.
Sex: 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. Pictures of bare breasts.
Language: Lots of cursing, including many uses of "s--t," "dick," "bitch," and "f--k."
Consumerism: Some hotel signage; Sean John, Sesame Street, Elmo, and Fraggle Rock are all name-checked. Logo for O'Neill surfing gear is prominently displayed.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Lots of getting sloshed, especially post-breakup. Some references to buying, selling, and smoking weed.

More on Forgetting Sarah Marshall

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: April 17, 2008
DVD release: September 30, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.
Watch our review

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 14 parent & educator reviews:
  • 36% say sexual content is an issue
  • 29% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

kanpope
parent of and 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 12 year old
 
Not for any kids that you have control over what they watch. Older kids will find it funny but sends inappropriate messages about relationships, sex, and drug use. If you are old enough to know better...it is a riot!

 
Probably not for younger teens/tweens, but okay for older ones
I was 17 when this first came out, so that should tell you a little something about how old I am now. It's a really, really good movie with "real" people and heartwarming scenes mixed in with raunchy humor. It really is the tamest of Apatow's movies. I must admit, when I saw it in theatres, I was a little shocked by it. Kids and parents should be prepared for this. But it's nothing kids aren't going to hear at school so, as long as both kids and parents have a mutual understanding, everything should be okay. I watched this later with my mom and she enjoyed it. Granted, it was a little awkward, but I think if kids and parents are open with and trust each other it makes for a more positive experience.

tessiegirl
teen, 17 years old
 
Funny but not appropriate.haha
i watched this when I was at home and I REALLY like it and it was really funny! But i am only 15 and I probably shouldnt of watched it.....it shows a dude's um....yeah. If you watch the unrated version it shows it like four times. And in the CSM review it didnt mention another oart in the movie where the two couples are having a "sex war". they are screaming and stuff to see who can louder because they are mad at one another. So yeah. If I would have watched this with my poarents I would have felt really uncomfortable fer sure.

Kaihfewuory327ybch
teen, 17 years old
 
Great for people who like seeing Jason Segel nude
The full frontal of Jason Segel had me diving for the off button! Yuck- did not enjoy this movie (except for the dracula scene)

ItouchKids
parent of 2 year old
 
HELL YEAH!
AWESOME!

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
Catch the TV version
If you're a guy and really don't wanna see male nudity check the TV version which does a great job of editing this film, but the hysterical antics are still kept intact! Russel Brand stands out as Aldus Snow but give it to "I Love You Man's" Jason Segel for giving such a hilarious performance!

najashirin
teen, 14 years old
 
nice for teens
like it

Meg_Mraz_fan
teen, 16 years old
 
I really like this movie!

eastside01
teen, 17 years old
 
The title does not match movie.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a funny movie with some flaws such as it is heavily dubbed in sexual content including sex montages, "sex-offs", some graphic nudity including brief shots of male penis and a photograph involving breasts. But you should definetly see it.

cheesydude
kid, 12 years old
 
FUUNNY MOVIE
I LOVED THIS MOVIE IT WAS SO FUNNY!!!!! IT'S VERY INAPPROPRIATE THOUGH!

Kubrick fan
kid, 12 years old
 
Awesome movie,top 10

LeoLuv99
kid, 12 years old
 
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAKED DUDE!!!!!!!!! BOOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zilozee123
kid, 11 years old
 
Horrible Movie
I hated this movie!!!!!!!!!

bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
 
It may be because i watched the extended cut, but this is NOT for 15+. It starts and ends w/ full frontal male nudity. There is also a female nudity throughout. There are many sex scenes, only one contains nudity. There is also oral sex. There is many uses of f**k, and many other words such as sh**, c**k, etc. There is also a lot of drinking. and some drug references

 
Favorite Comedy Movie
I don't no why but this is my favorite comedy movie of all time apart from maybe the Hangover. Even though this movie is not Insanely laugh out loud funny i just really like it for some reason. But don't get me wrong there are some really funny parts in it just not as mony as movies like knocked up and pineapple express.

LoveMyDocs
parent of 13 and 13 year old
 

movies make me :)
kid, 13 years old
 
More of a chick-flick than anything but worth watching

max fisher
teen, 16 years old
 
funny
good not great

LINDSEY76
parent of 4 year old
 
i like cursing

23553
teen, 13 years old
 
Good for mature 13 year olds or over.
I'm 13 and really liked this. However, I'm sure that there are 13 year olds that wouldn't be ready to see this. There certainly was a fair amount of sex and language. While some of the messages certainly weren't great, I thought that at the end, it was a good message that he tells the truth, and eventually, it turns out well.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age