With the IMDb rating between 6 and 7 and my score being a 7, this really won't move the needle, but here goes...
First of all, this was a very cumbersome plot with sprawling families, work relationships, distant parents, and a boy who looks like Tom Petty, but with horse teeth. So, it's no surprise that it took this film nearly 2.5 hours to run its course. In fact, the family theme runs through this film to the degree that a film like THE GODFATHER does. Well, that's the only similarity; there's no Luca Brasi here.
And, yet I am conflicted. Part of me wants to commend Judd Apatow for writing and directing something that moves at the pace of family rather than at the pace of the lizard brain of your average movie-goer. In this vein, Apatow takes lots of time to introduce seemingly minor characters, which is somewhat standard for Apatow with introducing bit part actors to the world. This strategy worked well for Albert Brooks here, who nailed it as Pete's (Paul Rudd) father. Also, Charlyne Yi has a nice seemingly demonic speaking part--a scene that almost makes you curious as to how many takes it took to get everyone not to laugh. So, the supporting cast is quite developed--same for John Lithgow's Oliver. Megan Fox can't act, but everyone already knows that.
However, I am conflicted because we have a sprawling cast of characters and because this moves at the pace of family, it was just too slow for cinema. The movie seemed to have too much down time and although the drama between Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd) is likely what you'd find in a passive-aggressive marriage of two people who are both growing weary of aging; I think there are a few too many peaks and valleys here as they argue about everything ad nauseum. Whether it's popping a Viagra, or eating cupcakes, or being judgmental...all they do is fight. So, in that light, I feel as though we could have had 30 min fewer of the marital distress after Apatow already established the theme convincingly earlier on.
As for some odds and ends, it's a bit surprising to me that Judd Apatow is so comfortable casting his wife into not just romantic roles with Paul Rudd, but that he writes topless scenes for her also! Either they have a very comfortable marriage or there's something slightly off there. I get that they're artists, but....Also, the gratuitous f*** bombs dropped by his older daughter Maude (as Sadie) was kind of funny, but a little gratuitous (which may be why it was a little funny).
Finally, this movie was not as funny as I had expected it might be, and it's apparent Apatow sacrificed some of the 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN vibe to do something a bit more serious. I don't fault him for that--THIS IS 40 was funny enough to make me laugh out loud a handful of times. And, the real show-stopper here, in my opinion, is the youngest daughter Iris (playing Charlotte). I think she has some of the most hilarious lines. Two that come to mind are about how her older sister is a nightmare to her so watching LOST should be no big deal, and how watching LOST was going to give her some shaky a** nightmares, which is a beautiful shot taken against the shaky cam epidemic in modern filmmaking.
TL;DR: Utterly watchable, though it drags in some parts. The acting is quite good for a comedy, but then again this isn't strictly comedy. Not as funny as you might hope, but you're rooting for them so there are some redeeming features. Don't expect too much, and you won't be let down.
First of all, this was a very cumbersome plot with sprawling families, work relationships, distant parents, and a boy who looks like Tom Petty, but with horse teeth. So, it's no surprise that it took this film nearly 2.5 hours to run its course. In fact, the family theme runs through this film to the degree that a film like THE GODFATHER does. Well, that's the only similarity; there's no Luca Brasi here.
And, yet I am conflicted. Part of me wants to commend Judd Apatow for writing and directing something that moves at the pace of family rather than at the pace of the lizard brain of your average movie-goer. In this vein, Apatow takes lots of time to introduce seemingly minor characters, which is somewhat standard for Apatow with introducing bit part actors to the world. This strategy worked well for Albert Brooks here, who nailed it as Pete's (Paul Rudd) father. Also, Charlyne Yi has a nice seemingly demonic speaking part--a scene that almost makes you curious as to how many takes it took to get everyone not to laugh. So, the supporting cast is quite developed--same for John Lithgow's Oliver. Megan Fox can't act, but everyone already knows that.
However, I am conflicted because we have a sprawling cast of characters and because this moves at the pace of family, it was just too slow for cinema. The movie seemed to have too much down time and although the drama between Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd) is likely what you'd find in a passive-aggressive marriage of two people who are both growing weary of aging; I think there are a few too many peaks and valleys here as they argue about everything ad nauseum. Whether it's popping a Viagra, or eating cupcakes, or being judgmental...all they do is fight. So, in that light, I feel as though we could have had 30 min fewer of the marital distress after Apatow already established the theme convincingly earlier on.
As for some odds and ends, it's a bit surprising to me that Judd Apatow is so comfortable casting his wife into not just romantic roles with Paul Rudd, but that he writes topless scenes for her also! Either they have a very comfortable marriage or there's something slightly off there. I get that they're artists, but....Also, the gratuitous f*** bombs dropped by his older daughter Maude (as Sadie) was kind of funny, but a little gratuitous (which may be why it was a little funny).
Finally, this movie was not as funny as I had expected it might be, and it's apparent Apatow sacrificed some of the 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN vibe to do something a bit more serious. I don't fault him for that--THIS IS 40 was funny enough to make me laugh out loud a handful of times. And, the real show-stopper here, in my opinion, is the youngest daughter Iris (playing Charlotte). I think she has some of the most hilarious lines. Two that come to mind are about how her older sister is a nightmare to her so watching LOST should be no big deal, and how watching LOST was going to give her some shaky a** nightmares, which is a beautiful shot taken against the shaky cam epidemic in modern filmmaking.
TL;DR: Utterly watchable, though it drags in some parts. The acting is quite good for a comedy, but then again this isn't strictly comedy. Not as funny as you might hope, but you're rooting for them so there are some redeeming features. Don't expect too much, and you won't be let down.