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Forgetting Sarah Marshall Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

… something great, even if it's only simply very good. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    67

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    Does not entirely play by the established conventions of its genre. Its willingness to explore states of feeling and modes of behavior that tamer romantic comedies never go near is decidedly a virtue, though this same sense of daring and candor also exposes its limitations.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Carina Chocano

    The movie's big revelation, though, is Brand's Aldous, whose idiot-Lothario exterior masks a frank, accidentally wise and Yoda-like interior, and whom we grow to like more and more despite getting to better know him and his faults. The same can be said about the movie.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Joe Leydon

    Segel makes an engaging impression throughout Forgetting Sarah Marshall, gamely making himself the butt of many jokes that involve Peter's non-macho proclivities.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Solid rom com finds another Judd Apatow acolyte moving into the spotlight.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Ms. Kunis, a petite brunette, plays Rachel, a hotel receptionist by day and a party girl by night (and day), with a sparkling smile, a seductive voice that can sharpen to a rasp and a quick wit that suggests withheld knowledge. Good for her in a sex farce that lets so much hang out.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    The cringingly wacky scenarios, offbeat characters and comic dialogue serve up a crowd-pleasing, laugh-filled experience.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Nakedness has rarely looked so...naked. And innately, universally comic.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Forgetting Sarah Marshall reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

Not as crass as other Apatow hits, but still not for kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this comedy -- which was produced by Knocked Up director Judd Apatow -- is actually a lot less crass than the other hit movies he's worked on ... despite the fact that it features full-frontal male nudity right off the bat. In fact, it's downright warm-and-fuzzy in parts, revealing the heartache of breakups and the complexities of relationships. All of that said, it can't avoid its Apatowian roots altogether; there's plenty of salty language (from "f--k" to "b-tch"), sexual content, social drinking, and references to drug use.

  • Families can talk about how the filmmakers deal with the fine line between being crude and being funny. Which side do they fall on more often? Who decides where that line falls to begin with? Families can also discuss why breakups are popular fodder for movies. Where's the humor in the end of a relationship? Why do you think Sarah breaks up with Peter to begin with? Was his reaction surprising or understandable?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Couples cheat on each other and cover up their misdeeds with lies. Still, friends back each other up and exes find a way to talk maturely about their failed relationships and what they appreciate about each other.

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Some loud arguments between couples; a bar owner beats Peter up for trying to steal a picture; two guys shove each other at the beach.

  • sex false5

    Sex: Lots of jokes about sex; the first major scene involves repeated male full-frontal nudity, as well as naked backside shots. The main character is later shown having tons of one-night stands. Simulated sex acts in various positions. Couples cuddle post-coitus under sheets. A man teaches another man -- who is inexperienced -- his sexual tricks by humping large chess pieces. A honeymooner laments his new bride's excessive sexual demands and complains about not being able to find part of a woman's anatomy. Pictures of bare breasts.

  • language false5

    Language: Lots of cursing, including many uses of "s--t," "dick," "bitch," and "f--k."

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Some hotel signage; Sean John, Sesame Street, Elmo, and Fraggle Rock are all name-checked. Logo for O'Neill surfing gear is prominently displayed.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of getting sloshed, especially post-breakup. Some references to buying, selling, and smoking weed.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

FUNNY by Thumperhump84
I loved this movie. It made me laugh from start to finish. I see a lot of people were saying that the male private parts were shown too much and were uncallled for, HAH I laugh because we see a lot of ******s shown in movies and yet NOTHING bad is ever said. Thats wrong. I found it funny and I think that a little sex humor is great. Also the movie was rated "R" why would you take your kids knowing that nudity was involved and complain that is wasn't a "kids movie". No matter what I LOVED IT!!! Go and see for yourself.

5

Such a great movie! by ninjamaster62
I had such a great time at this movie. It was so funny and so well done. The actors were perfectly cast. Judd Apatow and his crew are so good at making this kind of movie. The storyline is pretty generic, but the characters and the dialog make it absolutely memorable and fantastic. The music for the film is also great. The laughs are almost nonstop, and not all of the jokes were in the commercials. It also has a very dramatic and serious side to the story that is done well, not overly cheesy or anything like that. There were a few parts that were kinda gross and shocking, but that is just all part of the fun. My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I am even considering going back to see it again.

2

Forget Forgetting Sarah Marshall by Story_Critic
The funny parts are in the trailer so don't waste money on the tickets or your time watching the movie. The trailers are better because they screen out the poor story lines and get straight to the funny stuff. Hollywood is better at marketing movies than producing them. I also don't need to see nudity in movies at the theater. There's a place for that and it's not the mainstream movie theaters. There are other, and better outlets for sex and nudity. It's called the porn industry. The story is drawn out and Dracula is just stupid for an analogy of Love. Come on, what audience are the Writers trying to relate with??? The song at the end of the movie was in very poor taste and just down-right disgusting! I rated this movie a NO because life is short, and I think people can and should find better things to do with their friends and family. Forget seeing Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

5

Funny as Superbad by Obeast
This is the only comedy movie you will need to see this year. It has every thing you look for in a comedy and never lets you stop laughing. It is every bit as funny as Suoerbad and Knocked Up. If you liked those movies you will love this. I will be going to see this movie again and buy it when it comes out on DVD.

3

Hmmm.... by the_ordinary_critic
Judging by fan feedback you'd think this was such a big comedy hit. While I did have fun seeing this movie, I wouldn't say its one of those comedies that'll spawn a cult following. In fact, I would say it was flat - nothing new.

5

Laughed the whole way through by DholsDuster
Yes I am with everyone else when I say i didnt not expect to see so many ***** shots so early and the movie, but as far as the rest of the movie goes, it was hillarious. The cast realy could not be much better for the roles(jackie included). Two words Dracula Opera.

5

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL!!!!!! LOL FUNNY GREAT MOVIE by highdollarnana
I really enjoyed this movie. It was truely the best comedy that I have seen this year! This movie was very funny ,somewhat awkward and painful in a sweet and laughing your butt off way! I think it is one of the more daring movies to be made in a while in the sense that it really shows a naked guy not once but several times in this one really funny scene and I do mean it was funny..my daughter and I had a really hard time trying to stop laughing so we could here the other parts of this humorous film .This guy has a heart of gold and it's the size of Texas so therefor when you see this guy getting his heart broke..it's like you can feel for him...because this dude truley cares about love and it hurts! And then about the time you feel super sorry for this guy the next scene you see his best buddy over visiting and all the dude is doing is crying like a baby and I mean CRYING!!It's hard to put into words just how funny LOL this movie is so all I can SAY is RUN TO THE STORE AND SEE IT!!

5

Hilarious by Duppy_Conqueror
As funny as Knocked up and 40 yr old Virgin

4

Funny by avckc
This comedy dwells on heartbreak with exagerrated situations and characters. Like other Judd Apatow productions, this movie has big laughs dealing with identifiable emotions.

4

Surprisingly Good by dawnsunshine
I saw this movie with my boyfriend and we both liked the movie. there were some funny parts and it was a cute movie. i would recommend it. :) thx

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