Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday is the first truly awaited comedy of the year. From the producers of “40-year-old-Virgin”,  “Superbad” and the Judd Aptow players comes the romantic disaster movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.

This is the heart-wrenching story of Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), a low-key musician whose girlfriend is super television star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). One day Sarah comes home to inform Peter that she is breaking up with him.

Falling into a depression, Peter’s brother Brian (Bill Hader) suggests that he get away from anything to do with Sarah and relax. He decides to do something spontaneous and takes off for Hawaii.

As per life, he arrives to find Sarah there with her boyfriend rocker Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Falling back into a funk, Peter is befriended by the free-living hotel desk clerk Rachel (Mila Kunis) who goes out of her way to help Peter forget Sarah.

But it all comes full circle and Peter must decide where his heart truly lies, both in love and what he really wants for his life, especially with Dracula (you will see).

FINAL WORD:  Segel is absolutely awesome as Bretter. How refreshing to find an actor willing to go all out, and I mean all out, to make a character so vulnerable yet endearing. Shutting himself off in a Hawaiian resort, Segel wrote the screenplay for this film, which ended up as the location setting for the story.

Kunis is cute as Rachel and very relaxed in her Hawaiian role. Bell is fine as Marshall but it is the cast that allows you forget Sarah Marshall very easily.

Added hilarity is Jonah Hill as the waiter who not only won’t let Peter forget he’s alone. He is remembered best from his role as Seth in “Superbad”.

Devan M’Donald as Dwayne the bartender has truthful wisdom all his own. Hader as the brother is dry but in a fantastic funny way.  Paul Rudd as Chuck, the absent minded surf instructor fits right into this cast.

One of the scene-stealers here is Russell Brand as the rocker Aldous Snow. Between his singing, his attitude on life and love, and his clear-cut liking of Bretter’s character, he adds just the right touch of irony.

Also cameos by Billy Bush of Access Hollywood, Stephen Baldwin, and Jason Bateman. 

If the movie being funny isn’t enough, the songs sung by Segel and Brand along with there own brand of comedy is just the icing on the cake.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” four tubs of popcorn out of five. Understand up front that this is not a comedy for small children. There is graphic nudity in the first 5 minutes and adult humor. This film at 100 minutes doesn’t miss a beat or leaves the audience snoozing.

Be prepared to laugh hysterically, have your jaw drop a time or two but also be able to relate to the silliness of heartache and the belief in love.