There's always a risk in overselling a movie, series, book, or restaurant. The danger is that expectations will be inflated to the point of inevitable disappointment. With that said, I can say confidently that KNOCKED UP is a near-perfect movie, and predict that come awards season, it will be one of those rare comedies nominated for Best Picture.
The premise is deceptively simple: a lovable loser gets a hot girl pregnant, and she chooses to keep the baby. Below that simplicity belies a tender, insightful movie about personal maturity, responsibility and the differing expectations of men and women. Except for the suspension of belief it takes to accept the beautiful Katherine Heigl would give it up to the shlubby Seth Rogen, the film's moments ring true throughout. Scenes between characters are as real as it gets.
It's also insanely hilarious. In fact, the jokes are so consistent that I missed large portions of dialogue due to audience laughter. There are so many perfectly timed one liners, quirky character actors and small moments (including what is perhaps the greatest confrontation between a spurned a club-goer and doorman). It's rare these days to see a genuinely funny comedy that isn't merely a compilation of sketches and jokes (e.g., Anchorman), but also tells an eminently relateable story. Even with a length slightly over two hours, I wanted more. This is the kind of movie I'd be happily to own a DVD director's cut.
I've long been a fan of writer/director Judd Apatow's work, including Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared and The 40 Year-Old Virgin. Knocked Up, however, achieves that difficult balance of comedic sweetness that Virgin stumbled with awkwardly. This is in no small part due to the performance of its star Seth Rogen, essentially playing the same character from "Freaks". As much as I loved him in that show, I didn't have much faith in his ability to carry a movie - yet there's no doubt here that he delivers. There's also a strong supporting cast including Paul Rudd (who is now officially the quietest comedic actor working today) and other Apatow regulars, as well as various cameos from stars of The Office and SNL.
Enough praise though - go see it.
