- Starring
- Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
- Director
- Judd Apatow
- Rating
- R
- Genre
- Comedy, Romance
- Release date
- August 11, 2005
- Where to watch
- Hulu
Overall Score
Rating Overview
Rating Summary
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a classic romantic comedy that tells the story of Andy Stitzer, a middle-aged man who has never had sex and is content with his mundane life of collecting action figures and playing video games. However, his co-workers decide to intervene and help him lose his virginity. The film is a hilarious commentary on modern society’s obsession with sex and relationships, as well as a touching portrayal of the struggles of growing up and finding oneself.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Steve Carell is perfect in his role as Andy, bringing both humor and heart to the character. His performance is the highlight of the film and is sure to leave audiences in stitches. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Paul Rudd and Romany Malco delivering standout performances. Each actor brings something unique to the table, and the ensemble cast works seamlessly together to create a cohesive and entertaining movie.
The film’s direction by Judd Apatow is top-notch, with clever editing and a well-paced script that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The film’s humor is crass at times, but it’s also clever and relatable, making it a standout in the genre. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring a mix of classic rock and modern pop that perfectly sets the mood for the film.
While some may argue that the film’s raunchy humor is not for everyone and that its portrayal of women leaves something to be desired, these criticisms are offset by the film’s overall positive message about self-acceptance and the importance of relationships. The film’s themes of self-discovery and the value of friendship are universal and timeless, making it a film that will resonate with audiences for years to come.
In conclusion, The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a highly entertaining film that will leave audiences laughing, crying, and feeling good. Its memorable characters, witty script, and touching themes make it a must-see for fans of romantic comedies and anyone looking for a good laugh. The film is a classic in the genre and a testament to the talent of its cast and crew.
WOKE REPORT
Crass, Vulgar, and BASED
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a deceptively conservative film. Amidst its often vulgar and adolescent humor, the truth of the film is that waiting for a committed and monogamous relationship is worth it. Everyone in the movie who has had and does have multiple partners is somewhat sad, except for Seth Rogen’s Cal, who is too stupid and high to know the difference. Romany Malco’s Jay is a serial cheater and is actually miserable underneath his slick veneer, that is, until he finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant. Once he finds out that he is a father (which he acknowledges upon seeing the ultrasound) and comes to grips with the underlying reasons that he cheats, he becomes monogamous and happy.
- Then there’s Steve Carell’s Andy. Throughout the film, he’s looking for more than just sexual gratification. In fact, every attempt to “hook up” leaves him feeling diminished. The fact that the film waits for Andy to be married before he finally loses his virginity says more about the film’s true message than anything else.
James Carrick
James Carrick is a passionate film enthusiast with a degree in theater and philosophy. James approaches dramatic criticism from a philosophic foundation grounded in aesthetics and ethics, offering insight and analysis that reveals layers of cinematic narrative with a touch of irreverence and a dash of snark.
It had some good old-fashioned gay-baiting locker room humor. You don’t see that any more, sadly. Gay-baiting is funny. Being offended is a choice. One could just as easily observe the humor as satire, a statement about the absurdity of the stereotype itself. It’s better to live on your feet than to die on your knees. I thought of a great inappropriate wisecrack that is undoubtedly not allowed on this website. Alas, even here.
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” isn’t the kind of movie I normally watch, but I chose to look it up anyway. Although it’s been many years after the film was made, we live in a time where our culture is saturated with sex and yet ironically, more young people are putting it off for one reason or another. I wondered if a classic movie about a middle-aged man who puts off sex because he’s freaked out about intimacy might have an interesting idea worth exploring. So I powered through the raunchy and cartoonish stuff to see if there was a kernel of truth buried within it.
Andy is middle-aged, but he lives like a child. He is cheerful and unambitious. He has a low-status job, he commutes with a bicycle instead of a car, and his house is filled with toys. He’s happy this way because he lives for himself and not for the approval of women, but he’s also kind and unselfish. His friends pressure him into having casual sex even though he doesn’t want it because he finds it very uncomfortable and doesn’t understand how it works or why it’s so important. It’s rather amusing to see his friends briefly consider if Andy’s way of life is better: they admit that living for the approval of women who don’t love them back is exhausting and makes them miserable. I find that fascinating considering the stereotype is that males are so preoccupied with having sex that they are willing to chase it both constantly and indiscriminately.
However, while the pursuit of sex is a powerful biological drive, it’s not until Andy starts pursuing a serious relationship with a woman that he begins to adopt more symbols of manhood: he dresses better, gets promoted at work, starts driving a real car, and so on. It’s clearly a watershed moment when his future wife suggests that Andy should sell off all his action figures, and he wills himself to make that sacrifice because he and his wife need the space and the money from the sale more than the action figures themselves. He’s finally willing to let go of the comforts of childhood because he’s more focused on building a future together with his new partner and her family. He wants to invest his time and energy in being a good husband and father.
I usually don’t love raunchy movies, but I’ve seen enough of them to know that when the characters start thinking more seriously about relationships with a real partner instead of chasing casual sexual encounters, the crass sexual humor usually falls away and genuine sincerity and emotional vulnerability take its place. Maybe there is something important to be said here: our bodies desire sex, but our souls desire intimacy. When we chase sex without intimacy, it harms us, but when we turn down sex all together, it’s because we’re not mature or emotionally prepared enough for the challenges of intimacy, or adulthood in general. Perhaps that points to something key that’s missing in our cultural attitudes toward sexuality and maturity.
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