.FILM REVIEW THE FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN

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FILM REVIEW – THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN.

The plot of this delightful and surprisingly intelligent comedy is simple. Andy Stitzer (Played by Steve Carell) is a middle aged virgin, who gets found out by his sexually experienced friends. They try to fix him up on blind dates, and he tries speed dating, but eventually meets a woman he really loves. Finally, he discovers the joys of sex.

As a real 46-year-old male virgin, I have to say I loved the film. I was wary of it, as people who know my story (see THE LAST TABOO) l were going to give me a great deal of stick over it.

Apparently, some male virgins in the US were going to sue over it. I saw no reason for such a stance. The film's central character is treated quite realistically and sympathetically. That he finally found love, and the song of joy (Aquarius) that follows is a delight, though reminiscent of the singing at the close of There's Something About Mary. It also rules out the likelihood of a sequel.

It is the eccentricity of the more sexually experienced friends around him that make Stitzer the virgin seem so credible, though at times they are over-stretched as social caricatures.

There are some very funny moments, especially when Stitzer ruins a whole box of condoms trying to figure out how to put one on. There is also a running gag about the main female lead assuming he is a serial killer. It was noted in production that Steve carrel looks like real US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. This was then incorporated into the film, some of which is improvised.

There are also some lovely poignant moments, such as when he intervenes when a young girl is mocked for being a virgin, by admitting to her friends that he is one and pointing out how unpleasant they are for pressuring her.

I love the sequence of his friends saving him from the clutches of a man-eating temptress, only to see one of them jump into the bath with her as the others rescue him for the woman he really loves. Funny, perceptive and intelligent filmmaking.

Arthur Chappell