Forgetting Sarah Marshall Synopsis: A devastated Peter Bretter takes a Hawaiian vacation in order to deal with the recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know, Sarah’s traveling to the same resort as her ex – and she’s bringing along her new boyfriend.
After getting dumped by his girlfriend of five years, television actress Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) decides to take a vacation to Hawaii to try and mend his broken heart. Unfortunately, Sarah and her new boyfriend, rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), are staying at the same resort.
“Look. Liz and I, we think the world of Sarah. We think she’s great. But, and I’m just being honest here, every time she would come over to our house, she always acted, you know, like a… like a little bitch.” – Brian
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is an underrated gem of a romantic comedy. It handles the reality of getting dumped in a relatable, heartwarming, and funny way. Jason Segel is a likable lead who makes Peter’s pain and self-loathing something to sympathize with even while you’re laughing at it.
“When life gives you lemons, just say ‘Fuck the lemons,’ and bail.” – Chuck
Segel took a somewhat unoriginal plot device and created an affable, engaging script that shockingly doesn’t do a disservice to any of its characters. Kristen Bell could have easily been the one-note bitchy ex-girlfriend, but she’s given enough depth that you also almost feel sorry for her by the movie’s end.
Mila Kunis shines in the Cool Girl archetype as Rachel, the resort’s receptionist, who helps mend Peter’s broken heart. While I’m not a huge Russell Brand fan, his unapologetically sexual, free-spirited Aldous Snow is so damn charming that even Peter has a hard time hating him.
The supporting cast, featuring Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, and the film’s MVP, Paul Rudd, carries most of the comedic weight in the film, providing the majority of the laughs amid Peter’s angst and humiliation. And underneath the abundance of humor is an adorable, captivating romance that begins to blossom between Peter and Rachel. Kunis proves in this movie that she has what it takes to lead a film, and I loved her chemistry with Segel. It helps that Rachel is a strong character and love interest with an actual personality, flaws and all.
“How you served five years under her, I don’t know. You deserve a medal, or a holiday or at least a cuddle from somebody.” – Aldous Snow
Being a Judd Apatow film, one expects the raunchy shenanigans that come with an R-rating, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall delivers. But beneath the pratfalls and wang-dangling is a raw, vulnerable look at heartbreak and the emotional difficulties accompanying it.
Sure, I could have done without Jason Segel’s dingaling flopping about, but Forgetting Sarah Marshall is warm, funny, and so, so quote-able. It is the perfect romantic comedy for anyone who hates romantic comedies. Also, Dracula Musical needs to be a Real Thing.
Watched: 10/18/2018
Notable Song: Inside You by Infant Sorrow
