This is 40 (2012) directed by Judd Apatow, 7th February

Plot

Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie ( Leslie Mann) are a couple who both reach the mile stone of being 40 within a week of each other. One is in denial and the other wants to celebrate in style with a big party. The film covers the week starting with Debbie's birthday and the build up to Pete's 40th Birthday party.

Review 

This is a Judd Apatow written and directed film and documents the build up of a couples 40th birthday. The couple are going through a midlife crisis both personally, physically and financially.  It also deals with modern family life with the iGeneration and the older generation. One is estranged from her father and just reconnecting with him. The other father needs to be supported by his son.

With this thin thread the film is a bit of a mess. There are so many threads to this film. From school/internet bullying, financial secrets, growing pains, viagra, music. The list goes on and pretty much every topic is covered superficially in this film. The story has no cohesion and most of the scenes are like small sketches which are just stitched together to culminate to a big 40th.

There are highs, lows and meltdowns along the way during this film but in reality nothing much happens.

Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann do a very good bickering couple but apart from this there is nothing really engaging about the couple. The real scene stealers are the cameos from Melissa McCarthy playing a parent whose son is at the same school and Jason Segel being a personal trainer.

As this was a pseudo sequel to 'Knocked Up,' I was expecting a cameo from Seth Rogan and Katherine Heigl. You would expect your screen younger sister at your 40th.

It's an over long film with very few big laughs and lots of apologetic smiles. At 134 mins this film could have easily been trimmed down.

For me the best part was the competition between Jason Segel and Chris O'Dowd  in trying to see who could win the affections of Megan Fox. Finally, you must stay for the outtake of the school principle scene at the credits with Melissa McCarthy. That is if you managed to sit through the whole film.

I had high expectations and really wanted to like this film but left very disappointed.

5/10