My main association with this film is the ad campaign here in New York back before the film came out, where the phrase “I hate you, Sarah Marshal” was plastered on wild signs everywhere. This made me curious about it, but then the critics panned it and we stayed away. Well, my wife and I finally checked this film out on DVD last night. We really enjoyed it.

Forgetting Sarah Marshal is way better than the critics lead us to believe. It is really a sweet movie. Some of the comic writing is really great. The problem for me is that it is a bit uneven. Segel unfortunately relies a bit on Judd Apatow-type shit for laughs (the film is much funnier when he doesn’t) but even the low ebbs of its comic unevenness never dips to the insulting and idiotic level of Apatow-Rogan-Smith. The film hangs together really well, and the main character traverses a very pleasing and heartfelt story arc of personal redemption. My wife and I both really liked the fact that his character is treated so nicely and warmly by everyone else in the film- the usual formula in 21st century comedy is for this kind of character to be universally despised. Very refreshing!

Jason Segel is becoming one of my favorite actors. He just has something: the voice, the facial expressions, the easy-going energy and charisma, and the ability to play sad-sack or bizarre characters while giving them genuine dignity. He is terrific in the lead role. Paul Rudd has a bit part in which he is absolutely fabulous, and the chemistry between Segel and Rudd is amazing, just as it is in I Love You, Man. The character of the crazy English rock star is perhaps a bit too derivative of Nigel Tufnel at times, but he has some great lines and Russell Brand gives a really good performance – he actually makes you genuinely like the weirdo, and that’s saying something!

Poor Kristen Bell. Well, at least she got to be Veronica Mars for three years. Now she going to be playing dumb blonds for the rest of her life. But she turns in a solid performance as Sarah Marshal.

I am not sure that I would watch this film again, but I can tell you that I would watch it again in a second over any of the crap that Judd Apatow, Seth Rogan, and Chris Smith put out! It is a very satisfying and pleasing movie from start to finish. It’s good for a few good laughs and doesn’t leave you slimed. Netflix it, and check it out!