This is 40
Turning 40 is a milestone that has often come with a great sense of dread. For Pete and Debbie (Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann) not only does the marker carry a weight of significance, but it also serves as a point of self reflection, leaving the two asking “how did we get to where we’re at?” A snapshot of real life, its joys, tragedies, frustrations, and celebrations. Now feeling the pressures of life more than ever, will the two have the integrity to hold their family together, or will their relationship be cast upon the rocks of distress? Written and directed by comedic game changer Judd Apatow, This is 40 serves up brutally truthful and relatable humor scene after scene. And, while the film doesn’t offer what might be seen as a traditional story with a beginning middle and end, but rather serves as almost an episode or a few days in the life of, fans of Apatow’s “tell it like it is” sensibilities will find plenty to sink their teeth into. Meanwhile, Rudd and Mann along with Jason Segel, Albert Brooks, and John Lithgow all turn in performances that feel honest, reacting as real people– people wanting to do right by each other, albeit sometimes misguided, but still with the best intentions. While the film does carry a longer runtime than most comedies, clocking in over two hours in length, the laughs still feel appropriate and present helping to erase this fault. Dramatic Comedic winner for the holidays. This is 40 is rated R.