Movie Review -- The 40 Year Old Virgin

So, as you might realize, I've been in a foul mood these past few days. To cheer myself up, the other night I thought I'd find a movie about someone whose love life is even more pathetic than mine. And I found it, in The 40 Year Old Virgin. Last year's smash comedy, starring Steve Carell, tells the very funny (but also very touching) tale of a somewhat nerdy guy (okay, very nerdy guy) named Andy who has somehow remained a virgin at the age of 40. He befriends a bunch of rowdy coworkers who make it their mission to get him devirginized.

I knew that I'd find it funny, or strongly suspected as virtually everyone who's seen it says it's hilarious. It did not disappoint me in this regard, however what did surprise me is that the movie has a lovely heart that makes it a good funny movie instead of just a funny movie. Carell's Andy has his pathetic moments but more than anything, he is entirely likeable and sympathetic. I didn't so much seem him as a loser but more as a guy who just hasn't figured things -- life and love and intimacy and human connection -- out.

And who amongst us can't relate to that?

His friends are a raunchy bunch, but are also likeable fellows who slowly accept him for who he is (in spite of still wanting him to "get a life!") We all want Andy to "score" but we want him to do it without sacrificing his integrity in the process. We want him to face his insecurities like a real man, with the hope that he can find who he really is.

And I must confess, I even cried. Just a little. (But maybe that's because I was in the bathtub drinking vodka and thinking that when they make the movie of my life it'll be entitled: The 34 Year Old non-Virgin Who's Slept With Waaaaaayyyyy Too Many Men But Still Can't Find A Connection. But that's another story.)

I give it four big stars!