The Hangover
“The Hangover” is a film about three people who find themselves in an untenable situation after a wild night of irresponsible partying. This could mark the beginning of a horror film or a comedy. Luckily, “The Hangover” is the latter of the choices, presenting a portrait of individuals who act reasonably confounded at every strange turn their night apparently took them with the ridiculousness of the situations providing genuine laughter with great regularity.
Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) are the three participants in this crazy search for friend and star of the bachelor party, Doug (Justin Bartha). The story takes many unpredictable twists, providing unseen opportunities for hilarity throughout. The closing credits illustrate a picture of what happened in one of the funniest montages in recent memory.
One of the wonderful aspects of “The Hangover” is that there are revelations the characters make about themselves that express an extraordinary depth rarely allowed in present day comedies. All of them use this newly formed knowledge and apply it to the daily choices in their lives, understanding that the night where they made some of their worst decisions can lead to some of their best and could end up being the turning point in the happiness that they desperately covet.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, not only because of the various lines and observations that provide unparalleled laughter but also for the truth it exhibits in all parts of our sexually explicit society. The pressures encouraged by our culture are virtually impossible to ignore, but the film asks a candid question: Should we feel obligated to live up to the various benchmarks that are expected in order to feel like a productive member of society? “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” has a distinct, multi-layered opinion on this seemingly simple question, while never disregarding any brilliant comedic opportunities that might arise.
Steve Carell stars as Andy, a man who has essentially given up on finding happiness in life because of the immense work it takes to find the perfect companion. While Andy is playing poker with his coworkers (hilariously portrayed by Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogan), it is revealed that he is a virgin, sending all of the others into shock that evolves to arrogance, making them believe they know what is best for him. The various situations they place Andy in are ridiculous and consistently funny, but always realistic. Eventually, through the awful misfires, Andy finds the woman of his dreams (Catherine Keener), but his inexperience with relationships brings misunderstandings that simply enhance the wonderfully touching and meaningful conclusion. The musical sequence at the end is random and painstakingly funny with a certain believability attached because of the wide-range of authenticity exuded by the actors.
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” never contains a dull or dishonest moment within it. The film is either augmenting its search for realism through comedy or careful observation. “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” is unambiguous in its promotion of abstinence without ever being condescending or preaching, which is a valuable wonder to admire in a society that often promotes pervasive smut within our lives as the only way to define ourselves as adults.
