Film Review: Knocked Up

Can you hear that? It isn’t the sound of Judd Apatow’s success. It’s the sound of his farting, cursing, and intercourse-laden success…while high. The director who made his name with the fantastic television series Freaks & Geeks was found to have a penchant for the lowbrow with his previous film The 40 Year Old Virgin, and only builds on that passion in his latest endeavor, Knocked Up.

As a fan of Apatow’s work with both Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared, covering high school and college respectively, I had high anticipation for my first Apatow feature film. The first thing that becomes apparent is that unlike television, on the big-screen all bets are off with regards to any control over language and content. In both his television series Apatow pushed the envelope, but here he pulls no punches and delivers much of his humor using unsophisticated mechanics.

However, Knocked Up also manages to produce a lot of refined laughs. The majority of the movie deals with relationships, and in looking at them in an uncompromising manner it reminds the audience how funny they can be. Apatow takes the understanding and the misunderstanding, satisfaction and disappointment, and observes its hilarity. The best comedic moments of the film rise out of its base in reality.

For many the humor will be the main drawing point, but the true strength of Knocked Up is its story. Even with an emphasis on humor, Apatow makes sure to balance his creation with plenty of heart. The story of Ben (Seth Rogen) and Alison (Katherine Heigl)’s relationship is the cohesive element to the film, and the single piece that makes its length bearable. These two characters are great, and with the addition of a simply hysterical supporting cast (many from the Freaks & Geeks family) we are treated to brilliant comedic cast made real by excellent acting.

Some of the problems with Knocked Up arise when Apatow flies off the handle a bit too much with his shock comedy. In all honesty, there isn’t much that is shocking in 2007, and in the case of this movie the over-the-top moments feel forced and out of place. Secondly, there is a point near the end of the movie where things get a little too slow, though the lengthier development of the romantic aspects was refreshing in an age of rushed love.

Knocked Up is a solid comedy—solid, raunchy, vulgar, and obscence…sometimes a bit too much for its own good. It is a risqué romantic comedy that doesn’t skimp on the romance or the comedy, and in fact does an excellent job with both. If you can get past (or enjoy) the off-color humor, there is a rather amusing and sentimental story to enjoy.

7/10