Capturing the comedy within every heartbreak, Forgetting Sarah Marshall scores high marks for its wit, story and awkward confrontations, making it one of the first must-see films of 2008.
Peter Bretter has the life. Though a struggling musician, Bretter is dating one of the hottest TV stars ever in Sarah Marshall. But when Sarah sends Peter packing, he can't seem to move on. Lost and alone, Peter decides to go to Hawaii. And just when he thought things couldn't get worse, Peter discovers that Sarah and her new boyfriend are staying at the same hotel.
With huge films such as Knocked-Up, Superbad and 27 Dresses being released in the last twelve months, there is a new standard for comedy. Now, comedy films must go deeper than the typical gross out jokes, or the lame, often overused sexual reference and thankfully language hasn't equaled laughs for months; just ask the makers of such 'yesterday comedies' Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and the recent tragedy that was Drillbit Taylor. So, I must admit that I entered Forgetting Sarah Marshall with extreme caution, but I was luckily entertained and enlightened as laughs were constant and awkward silences rare.
Taking a story line that many dramas and romantic dramas use to build emotion and sympathy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall pulls a complete 180 by creating smiles and a whole lot of laughs.
From the very beginning we are introduced to Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), a musician who just can't seem to hold it all together. Lazy and unmotivated, Peter relies on his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to keep him moving. But within the first five minutes of the film, the relationship is over and the audience is already laughing hysterically. With no one to lean on, Peter is forced to find a way to get over his love, and the answer seems to be a vacation to Hawaii.
But Sarah is in Hawaii with her boy-toy Aldous, and all I have to say is, the scenario and jokes play out perfectly from there; largely due to the cast and their combined chemistry.
First, Jason Segel, who wrote the script for the film, represents the central character. Segel brings a helpless romantic to the foreground, and maked Peter Bretter relatable and personable to the audience. Also Kristen Bell creates a confident, yet whimsical rising TV star. Both share the screen perfectly as they give and take throughout the film, working with the strengths and hiding the mishaps, all while coming together to form an unlikely on-screen duo.
However, it was really Mila Kunis and Russell Brand that stole the show. Playing a hotel employee and Sarah's new boyfriend respectively, the duo worked their parts to perfection, never overacting but staying within themselves throughout the entire film. Throw in some cameo performances from Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill and the supporting cast ia perfect as it presents a hilarious yet believable set of situations.
Ultimately Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a pleasant surprise to movie goers. Combining an aggressive formula of witty dialogue, perfect characters and awkward nudity, the film gets high marks all around as it gives movie theatres a rare spark before the summer blockbusters take over!
