- MINOR SPOILERS (Nothing that will ruin the film!!!) -
I had high anticipations for this film, seeing as how it scored a 90% approval rating on RottenTomatoes and a 7.4 here. Judd Apatow's first directing effort turned out to be a delightful sex comedy in 2005's 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin.' Seth Rogen has proved to be funny (in moderations) during his early efforts, could this be the staring vehicle that launches his career?
The story: It follows a slacker (played by Rogen) who's one night stand with Katherine Heigl's character leads to her pregnancy. Simple plot that could of really provided big time laughs. But the narrative is so clichéd in the way it evolves. After she gets pregnant, he's shocked. Then he enters Heigl's character's life, in an aim to father the child. They (inevitably in these sort of situations) get in a fight and break up, only to reunite at the end. It's basically the formula for any Will Ferell film, just with different actors.
Is it funny? Ehhhhhh. Sort of. I give the film credit for not relying heavily on crude humor, as so many comedies are these days. There were genuinely funny moments in the film. I chuckled a few times throughout. But a chuckle here and there isn't enough for me to recommend the movie.
How'd the actors do? The acting was surprisingly good for a movie of this nature. Seth Rogen, while I didn't think he was excellent. proved to be just enough to carry the film. And Katherine Heigl, well, this is probably her best performance she's given (which doesn't say much when looking at her body of work.) Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann give great supporting help, even if they're a little overused. Some small cameos provide the funniest moments, such as Kirsten Wiig's tiny part.
The final verdict? 6/10. A slight above average film that's forgettable but a good way to kill some time.