A romantic comedy is usually something that one looks forward to as they curl up with their boyfriend on the couch, a bowl of popcorn snuggled tightly between the two. Being a single, horror-movie fanatic, This is 40 was probably the last movie on my “Things I Need to Watch” list. Regardless, I set off into the great world of cinema in hopes of a good laugh, or, at the very least, an amused chuckle. At first, I was pleasantly surprised, but, after two hours, I left the theatre glad that I am way too young to be married.
After the ever-intriguing trailers of movies that promise to be the next big thing, the audience is greeted by a scene can be described as, well… vulgar and awkward for anyone that just decided to go see a movie with some friends, but the writers play it off well, effectively transitioning you into what the movie is about: a middle aged couple and their marital problems. Many of these problems, though are unrealistic. When the husband, Pete (played by Paul Rudd), finds that his business is going bankrupt, he suggests selling their house in order to save his dying business. What Pete doesn’t seem to realize is that he could save money if (1) he didn’t decide to randomly take vacations with his wife, Debbie (played my Leslie Mann), to lavish spas, (2) he didn’t throw fully catered and staffed parties, and (3) he sold either his or his wife’s luxury car. This and many other unrealistic problems severely brought down this film.
There is a formula to writing a romantic comedy. Future couple meets. They fall in love. Things go wrong. It looks like there is no hope for love to prevail. BAM; couple rekindles their love. Happily ever after, the end. This is 40 is no exception. Honestly, the only difference between this and any movie based off of a Nicholas Sparks book is that instead of a lively, teenage to early twenties couple, we see a couple that is middle-aged, and already well into their marriage.
Over-all, This is 40 was a disappointment. Even though the first third of the movie had me laughing so hard that my sides hurt, the rest of it left me with a sour taste in my mouth. 6 out of 10. Would not watch again.
