Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a comedy never forgetting that “screwball” is a compound word. It reminds you with endless variations on the first half and several glimpses of the second, courtesy of writer/actor/exhibitionist Jason Segel. He’s one to watch in the future, when you aren’t covering embarrassed eyes.
Segel has more going for him than pot jokes and leering at women. His first screenplay displays uncommon respect for the DNA of romantic comedy, making the genre’s conventions modernly crude with old-fashioned sweetness.
Who can’t like Peter Bretter (Segel), for whom life is an oversized bowl of Froot Loops? He’s dating TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) while composing her crime-lab show’s musical score (more accurately, sinister one-note tones). Sarah returns from a trip with news that’s she’s dumping Peter, who is too shocked to put on clothes, the first of numerous gasp-laughs to come.
Depression envelops Peter, ruining his work – Seinfeldian noodling isn’t appropriate for autopsies – and straining relations with his stepbrother (Bill Hader). He must escape, and where else but where Sarah always wanted to go: a lush Hawaiian resort. Thing is, she’s also there with her new lover, a British rock star named Aldous Snow (hilarious Russell Brand), possibly Spinal Tap’s groupie love child.
It is a classic triangle: hopeless romantic, object of affection and undeserving rival. Segel completes the screwball package with wacky sidekicks (30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer, Apatow regulars Hader, Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd) so the leads don’t need to carry the funny, and a procession of crises that can’t logically be overcome. Yet he makes us hope they will, which is what a screwball wannabe like Leatherheads doesn’t do.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall opens Friday. Read the full review Thursday in Weekend.
Steve Persall is the movie critic for the St. Petersburg Times. He was conceived behind a drive-in movie theater his father operated and raised in projection booths and concession stands. He doesn't care how you did it up north.
And why can't screwball comedy exist in the 21st century, albeit on 21st century terms? That may mean crude but when you see as many of those attempts as I do, you appreciate the smart-dumb stuff like FSM.
And if you saw my monthly bank statement, you'd know "payola" isn't part of my vocab.
Didn't you get you're money's worth from FSM? You first commented before the movie opened for paying customers.
Posted by: Steve Persall | April 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM
And why does the term 'screwball' mean 21st century comedy? I think about 19thirty something. Might want to watch some 'real comedy'. Marx Bros good start.
Sensitive to the term 'PAYOLA' are you? Maybe because a couple generations know it by a different term and mostly ignore it?
And people say there's no 'good' movies any more; depends on your monetary point of view I guess. But who's pocket?
Posted by: rustystpete | April 22, 2008 at 08:47 PM
What color is the sky in your world, Rusty? The first sentence includes the words "comedy" and "screwball," identifying the genre, and there aren't any references to HIMYM or MTV. Plus, the word "payola" has never been attributed to movies (it's radio, and 50 years old). Somehow, the word "Crayola" rings a bell.
Posted by: Steve Persall | April 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
So, if I don't watch MTV or suffer through an edisode of 'How I Met Your Mother' I'm supposed to use ESP to determine a movie's genre.
Golly, does the term Payola ring a bell!
Posted by: rustystpete | April 19, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Anonymous guy: I think enough is shown in preview trailers, and explained in reviews like mine of FSM referring to crude jokes, frontal nudity, etc., for anyone with a brain to determine if a movie is in their taste range. It's the yahoos who just read the letter grade who we have to watch out for. And, personally, I know I'm old but don't feel IQ-impaired.
Posted by: Steve Persall | April 18, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Steve, you really need to classify your movie reviews per target audiences. The mindless comedy of FSM may deserve an 'A' for the 18-36 year old demographic but only the IQ impaired older viewers will laugh at this dribble. The dumbing down of 18-36 demographic 'comedy' reflects the failing education system. The one funny FSM joke referencing Hitler and Goering went right over the 18-36 year old heads. Silence speaks volumes.
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Oh wow -- glad I could be of help! That really was a great article.
John Waters is just the coolest -- looking forward to reading your interview.
Posted by: jane | April 16, 2008 at 02:08 PM
You're gonna love FSM, Jane. I also want to thank you for pointing me to John Waters' recent New York magazine interview. I'm interviewing him today in advance of his Apr. 26 appearance at the Dali museum. That article will help.
Posted by: Steve Persall | April 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM
As a huge screwball comedy fan -- my personal favorite film genre -- I'm thrilled to know that a modern take on this actually works. Plus Kenneth the Page and a Spinal Tap-esque character!
Nice to see the Apatow Répertoire Company still in fine form.
Posted by: jane | April 16, 2008 at 07:12 AM