Film Reviews

Knocked Up

• Rating:
• Director: Judd Apatow.
• Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann.
• Details: US / 129mins (16).

Chick flicks for guys aren't exactly ten-a-penny: She's Having A Baby, High Fidelity and maybe The Break Up being the only company in an otherwise lonely sub-genre. Guy's chick flicks differ from regular chick flicks because the hero is never ever a knight in shining armour, finding 'the one' is pretty low on the 'to do' list, there are no Cameron Crowe ultimate romantic gestures and there's a real danger that everything mightn't work out in the end. There are usually a man's take on romance - which, let's face it - can be pretty unromantic. Men are usually childish losers and women are usually nagging kill-joys and the unspoken agreement in the end is 'I'll grow up if you lighten up.' Into this roomy arena steps Knocked Up: Unemployed stoner Ben (Rogen) meets pretty TV presenter Allison (Heigl) on a night out with his stoner mates and they end up having unprotected sex. Eight weeks later, Allison realises she's pregnant, tells Ben and the two try to make a relationship work. However, getting to know each other with a baby on the way proves difficult and the last thing they need is Allison's bitchy sister Debbie (Mann), sour over her loveless marriage with Pete (Rudd), throwing multiple spanners in the works at every available opportunity. Knocked Up, written and directed by 40-Year-Old Virgin helmer Judd Apatow, tries to bridge the gap between 'pretty funny' and 'honestly ugly' and for the most part, achieves it. Hailed as the Second Coming of comedies in the States, it does boast witty lines, brutal comebacks and numerous pop culture references; but it's no way as funny as our American friends might suggest. This beauty and the beast storyline can be pretty predictable and you're never in doubt as to how it will turn out, but it's fun getting there and there's the odd surprise along the way.

Review by Gavin Burke