This is 40

2012’s “This is 40”, written and directed by Judd Apatow.

Starring Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segal, Robert Smigel, Chris O’ Dowd, Lena Dunham, Michael Ian Black, Megan Fox, John Lithgow, and Melissa McCarthy.

Set during the time that they both turn 40, married couple Rudd and Mann find themselves at a crossroads. While struggling to raise their at times challenging adolescent and teenage daughters, they have their own maturation process to attend to while trying to hold their lives together. Mann owns a clothing store, while Rudd runs a record label. With employees pilfering from the bottom line at the store, while the record label struggles with it’s latest album release, money is tight. Being members of the so called “sandwich generation”, Rudd also has to support his witty deadbeat father (Brooks), who just decided to have more children with his partner. In contrast, Mann’s father (Lithgow, nicely restrained) is rarely around, with him never meeting his grandchildren. Rudd and Mann oscillate between trying to meet their own individual needs, their relationship needs, and raising their own children, while juggling extended family responsibilities. Turning 40 may not be everything it’s cracked up to be- assuming that it’s desirable in the first place.

Anyone who’s ever been interrupted mid oral sex by their own bickering and screaming children will be able to relate to the comedic stylings of “40”. As we watch a couple that has been together a long time, we see their relationship dynamic, and the way they will argue in circles about their argument styles, the way only a couple that’s been together a long time can do. At times they earn our sympathy, and other times we wonder if we should savour their successes (and also question their budgeting skills). While “40” is a little nepotistic (Apatow’s wife and 2 children are featured here), the characters are greatly portrayed, particularly Albert Brooks’ deadbeat father (again stealing the show after 2011’s “Drive”). While Apatow is able to suss out great performances from his cast (save the hysterical teenager), the movie can drift somewhat aimlessly at times in the margins, a common Apatow issue (as well as a textbook example of why you should never have dialogue based around faddishly popular television shows). But the aimlessness is also “40”’s strength- as life often meanders and rambles into the nonsensical and the wonderfully random. And of course, the mundane and confrontational. As the California based multiple birthday party (for the couple born in the same year, one turning 40, the other claiming just 38…) winds down, we see the fireworks are just beginning for the newly middle aged couple.

3.5/5

Trailer: Click Here.