This Is 40

All these people that gave this movie terrible ratings need to lighten up ! First many of the actors are also comedians! If you can't handle mature dark humor than this movie isn't for you . Real people have to deal with a lot of things on their plate . The two main characters are dysfunctional individuals trying to make sense out of their crazy lives . The only part that I thought was over the top was the reaction to the child that said negative things about their older daughter . What they said could be outright threats that could be criminally charged. But at the end of the day it is a dark comedy. I like the ending. When in crisis mode families come together.

This is 40 is a complete surprise. A straight-forward slice of life that follows its protagonists as they cross the great, unseen barrier into their fifth decade, the film is naturally funnier, more poignant, and more engaging than might be expected. With laughter coming from the both the banalities of life and its heavier moments, the film rarely sinks into caricature and keeps tone-killing silliness to a minimum.

First and foremost, this is the first movie I have seen in years that actually has something to do with my life. I read through the threads, and I wasn't surprised that people found it depressing. They were probably expecting to see Knocked Up or I Love You Man. It lacks the stoner cool single guys being all zany about porn. Instead the comedy comes from things that forty somethings deal with: mortgage, kids, hormones, diet, expectations, etc. I rarely get to see a movie about people my age or having problems and solutions that don't involve guns, drugs, superheroes, cartoon birds, and people who have 8 figure life styles without ever having a job. Okay, so he's a groovy record co. guy, and she has a chic boutique.... Definitely way more California than my life, but still it is pretty real to life. I will concede that there are some gags that don't quite work, but like I said: I'm stickin' up for this one because I think it is getting a bad rap based on expectations. Thanks to Judd Apatow for making a movie about life instead of (hip jobs aside) hyper-situational life.

While I'm in my 40s I am single and childless but I hear enough stories from people around me (same age, middle class Californians) to know this movie is actually touching on what are real world situations for some people. So I didn't feel like there was much overdramatization as most critics point out. I also didn't feel like it was too long as I did enjoy the story, dialogues, etc. So I didn't think it felt drawn out. At the end of the day, most of the jokes work, plot and characters are engaging, and so there is enough to enjoy despite having nothing extremely original to rave about.

I like Paul Rudd as an actor, but I hadn't seen this one until recently. In This Is 40, Rudd plays Pete, married to Debbie (Leslie Mann), and together they're navigating the chaos of turning 40, with two bickering daughters, difficult parents (one who reappears after years, another who mooches off his son), and two struggling small businesses: Pete's record label and Debbie's boutique, which is losing money thanks to a thieving employee.

The movie touches on a lot of real-life issues for people in their 40s; family stress, financial trouble, marital strain, but here's the problem: every scene tries too hard to be hilarious. The jokes are fine, but few actually land as big laughs. And most of the problems the characters face? They just float around and quietly vanish without being resolved.

There's no real momentum, just scene after scene of midlife stress, minor arguments, and awkward family dynamics. Megan Fox makes an appearance and while she's certainly watchable, even her role doesn't seem to know what it's supposed to be. That kind of sums up the film: lots of loosely connected threads, but no clear direction or payoff.

It's not bad. It's not great. Watching it is just as okay as skipping it. Mildly entertaining, mildly frustrating; a bit like turning 40, I guess.