The 40-Year-Old Virgin—Yeah Right!
 
by The Maven and The Blonde
Film Columnists

The 40-Year-Old Virgin is Judd Apatow's directorial debut. Previously, he has written and produced “Freaks and Greeks” an wrote for “The Larry Sanders Show.” Judd co-wrote The 40-Year-Old Virgin with Steve Carell, who stars as the delightfully repressed Andy Sitzer.
 
Steve first caught our attention on “The Daily Show” and went on to co-star in such films as Bruce Almighty and Bewitched. Steve drew his inspiration for Andy from a character he created at Second City.
 
Andy Sitzer is a tenderly polite, man-child who works in a stockroom of an electronics store. He wears neat (not the cool neat) polo shirts, has very tidy hair, and rides a bike (not the motor kind either). Are you getting the picture here? To say he is a nerd would be insulting to nerds. His obsessively neat home is filled with action figures, comic books, video games and monster models. Andy has become what every male teenager fears will happen to him and more! The secret Andy has been keeping comes out when he attend a poker game with his coworkers. As guys often do, they are bragging about their bedroom exploits and Andy joins in with a really stupid comment. The others fasten in on him and discover that he is a VIRGIN?! While they are all laughing, as if this is some hysterical joke, you see the embarrassment and shame Andy feels. The story takes off from there as his newfound “buddies” decide to clue him in on the world of women. So starts his education about porn, speed-dating and hooking up with DRUNK girls. Unfortunately, the word is now out at work about Andy's arrested development and he also has to contend with attention of the stores owner, Paula, played by Jane Lynch (Best in Show and A Mighty Wind).
 
Andy's work buddies are David, portrayed by Paul Rudd (Clueless and Cider House Rules), who is a sensitive guy with suppressed rage at his ex-girlfriend. Jay is the common sense guy, played by Romany Malco (The Tuxedo and Churchill: The Hollywood Years). Cal, played by Seth Rogan (Donnie Darko and Anchorman) is the ladies’ man with all the answers.
 
All of Andy's new buds don't really get him what he needs. He does that all on his own when he meets Trish, portrayed by the wonderful Catherine Keener (The Ballad of Jack and Rose and The Interpreter). She is the relationship-experienced woman who works across the street and is attracted to Andy's innocence.
 
While the trailer for this film does show you most of the hilarious scenes, there are still some you’ll be surprised to see. What the previews do not show is that this movie has heart and is not just an excuse to explore a one-dimensional theme of suppressed sexuality. For Andy, all good things really do come to those who wait!

The Blonde: WELL, this is a topic that I personally have never experienced?! This film was like NO man I have ever been with meets American Pie meets 10 meets Something about Mary meets Animal House. I actually thought this was a cute film. I do however, think I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if I didn't stupidly allow my young daughter to see it too! I was cringing and worried the whole time. This was a big PARENT mistake. Here, I worry about her surfing television stations and the Net, when this movie alone blew the whole over protective parent thing I had going! Moving right along, I loved that Andy was not just a nerd and a virgin but was sweet, funny, and had many unique dimensions to his character. I don't see anyone else pulling this film role off. Okay, maybe Ben Stiller could have done it as well. Steve has such a low-key, unique comedic style. He is real just by showing up. He’s adorable and possesses that old-fashioned style of comedy. In addition, I also love Catherine Keener. Her work is honest, real and believable. Her face is perfect for portraying any modern woman. You accept her acting whether she is in a comedy or a serious drama. She can carry it all off. Mav, speaking of carrying it off, have you ever been with a virgin at ANY AGE?

The Maven: No, but I do love to corrupt, so I would relish the opportunity. Andy is such a great character that you don't mind his lack of experience.

The Blonde: YOU WOULD, if YOU dated him!

The Maven: What I enjoyed most about the film was the way Andy's new male friends handled the knowledge of his lack of sexual experience. They didn't humiliate him with inane jokes; they vowed to rectify his situation. It is THEIR attempts that add the silly humor to the film. Steve Carell plays Andy as a lonely, socially awkward guy who is very aware of how strange his situation is and painfully ashamed of it.

The Blonde: I think you and I should start a foundation to help these types of men! You sound so into the process!

The Maven: Wow, you’re right! This sounds like a great theme for a new reality show! Don't you think there is a void in GOOD reality television?
        
The Blonde: AHH NOOOOO! Ah contraire… I think reality T.V. is totally out of control. When shows like, “Being Bobby Brown,” “Tommy Lee Goes to College” and “Battle of the Reality Television Stars” are all the networks can come up with, this is why I LOVE THE MOVIES! However, the one thing I DID LOVE watching on television was the commercial with Cindy Sheehan, the lady whose son died in Iraq. Loved it! Just loved it!

The Maven: I was appalled that Howard Kaloogian, founder of the “Move America Forward” movement, has the audacity to place blame on Cindy that Iraqi terrorists will use her words as encouragement to topple the current administration and allow more of our soldiers to die. They wouldn't be dying if they weren't sent there in the first place by this administration! Of course, Cindy wouldn't have gained so much press if George hadn't been taking a 5-week vacation!

The Blonde: Are you still wallowing in that? I personally think he should have taken a 5-year vacation!
 
The Maven: He did, just ask Cheney and Rumsfeld!

The Blonde: OOOOHHH, GOOD ONE! ARE WE BEING POLITICAL HERE, CAUSE, IF WE ARE, I HAVE SOOO MUCH MORE TO SAY!

The Maven: No, go back to the film.

The Blonde: Oh please, just let me just get into gas prices. OR, How about global warming, which is now causing endless hurricanes to occur!   

The Maven: NO! NO! NO!

The Blonde: Well then, can we at least talk about Madonna, and how she is recovering from her broken collarbone, three broken ribs and a broken hand?

The Maven: FINE, go back to gas prices!

The Blonde: COOL, my car now costs $67 to fill up the tank. To save money for gas, I had to break up with this guy I'm dating in Texas!  

The Maven: WELL, President Bush is one of the most traveled Presidents in U.S. history. Do you think he will cut down some of his travels now?

The Blonde: I don't know, but I think the people he is traveling to visit might hope so!  I forgot, what film should we be talking about now?

The Maven: Catherine Keener was perfect for the role of Andy's love interest. Her chemistry with Carell allows the romantic territory to be as effective as the raunchy stuff. I especially applaud the choice of a woman around age 40 instead of paring Carell with a 20- to 30-year-old actress.

The Blonde:  Even though Carell currently has his own television show (“The Office”), I do believe Carell's career will soon take him away from television as has exploded into the world of films. I have a feeling we will be seeing an awful lot of him in cinema.

The Maven: As usual, you are correct! Carell is currently working on the script for the Get Smart movie, where he will portray Maxwell Smart.

The Blonde: His face is like putty. He is truly an 'acting chameleon'!  Can we go back to politics now?

The Maven: This film isn't going to be for everyone. It is very sexually suggestive, so BE WARE of letting YOUR teens under the age of 18 view it (BLONDE!). Some of the humor is raunchy, like vomit, urine, and other fluids kind of stuff. Putting that aside, The 40-Year-Old Virgin is very funny, endearing, and quite romantic. I rate it a B+ for a belly full of laughs.

The Blonde: Romantic? You think this film was romantic? Readers, TRUST ME, this film was NOT what Harlequin romance novels are written about. However, it was funny and quite sweet at times. It has a nice friendship storyline running through it as well. I rate this film a B. I recommend for your movie snacks some Jelly Bellies to go with the laughter that the Maven guarantees. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

All content property of Entertainment News & Views © 2003. Nothing that appears on this site may be reproduced, either wholly or in part, without the written permission of the publishers and solely at their discretion.