The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Version)

2005
Universal Studios
Director: Judd Apatow
Length: 133 min.
Format: DVD
Date Viewed: 15 January

Another in the long line of Unrated DVD editions of films, The 40-Year-Old Virgin adds 17 minutes to the runtime, and true-to-form, it's pretty obvious which scenes they are and why they were cut in the first place. Having not seen the theatrical cut of the film, it's hard to say whether or not the 116 minute cut played more smoothly, and if it worked better, though I'm guessing that even that could have been trimmed down by another fifteen or so minutes. Scenes play on far past their expiration date a little too often and other scenes go nowhere, or live to give a capping punch-line that just wasn't worth it. This is my one complaint about the film, but it served to make the film less enjoyable than I feel it could have been. Still, it is more often than not hilarious and also rather sweet when the film moves into the romantic half. Carell is perfect as the titular Andy, and his and Apatow's script accurately shows the comically painful details of being single and clueless as to how end said bachelorhood (certain scenes hit a little too close to home for me, as I'm sure they do for many), and also the details of how men often talk when they are at the bar or poker table. Regardless of it's main flaw, this is one of the funniest films of the year, and it will be exciting to see more from both director and star.