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10 years later, 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' is still one of the best modern comedies

Posted on 4/18/18 at 1:47 pm
Posted by RLDSC FAN
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member since Nov 2008
51887 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 1:47 pm
quote:

But when I think of Sarah Marshall, which opened in theaters 10 years ago Wednesday, I don't immediately think of sinking into my theater seat or the awkward car ride home. Instead, I'm reminded of the broody nights that it helped me through after breakups, and all of the quotable one-liners that elicit knowing laughs in everyday conversation. ("You sound like you're from London!")

It also subverts tropes as one of the rare rom-coms to show men as vulnerable. Peter can't merely shrug off Sarah: He pathetically (if also amusingly) cries when he tries to hook up with other women after their split, and sobs alone into his wine glass watching Project Runway when he's reminded of her. Later, he can't perform when Sarah comes back for makeup sex, showing that he values emotional connection over physical attraction, unlike many movie Casanovas.

That it manages to do all of this and still be laugh-out-loud funny is what makes Forgetting Sarah Marshall so insanely rewatchable, proving that the best modern rom-coms can have their heart, and their penis jokes, too.




LINK
Posted by OMLandshark
Member since Apr 2009
110124 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 1:54 pm to
I didn’t identify with Jason Seigel at the time, but I still thought it was hilarious. After going through what he did... yeah, it rings completely true and still hilarious.
Posted by LanierSpots
Sarasota, Florida
Member since Sep 2010
62224 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 1:56 pm to
plus Kristen Bell. Please do these threads right.




Posted by Pettifogger
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Member since Feb 2012
79528 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:02 pm to
It would never make my favorite movie list, or perhaps even my favorite comedy list, but we use quips from the movie all the time.
Posted by King George
Member since Dec 2013
5407 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:02 pm to
Didn't we just do 20 pgs on this movie last week??
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
58064 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:03 pm to
I watched it for the first time about 6 months ago and it instantly became one of my favorites.
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
66523 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:13 pm to
mila kunis blew her out of the water in that movie. didnt even look at KB when they were sharing scenes
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
116993 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:15 pm to
I had been through a really really bad breakup of a long term relationship about a year or so before this movie came out, so when I saw it in the theater, it really resonated with me. One of my favorite comedies.
Posted by Big Scrub TX
Member since Dec 2013
33751 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:15 pm to
I believe it is the best comedy of the past 25 years (and I can confidently say that because Fletch is now 33 years old!)

I don't agree that the Mila Kunis character is under-developed. In fact, I think the script is laudable precisely because it gives her way more agency than is typically due that trope in your typical romcom.

I said in the long thread: the dinner scene is an absolute tour de force which should be studied by film students. There is so much going on and it is so perfectly executed. This makes me think Segel is a genius.

LINK
Posted by Suntiger
BR or somewhere else
Member since Feb 2007
33040 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:17 pm to
We just had a thread on this about a month ago. That being said, this comedy totally holds up over time. Great flick!
Posted by Rep520
Member since Mar 2018
10476 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:29 pm to
It does two things better than most romantic comedies. First, the characters have better depth. Every character winds up being more complex than you'd think based on genre. Sarah Marshall starts as the evil cheater, but wins depth in talking about trying to work with Peter and her obvious continuing caring for him.

Then, it blends the romantic and comedy better by being funny within the romantic plot. A lot of these movies stop making jokes when it gets sentimental. It work because it uses the romantic scenes to deliver comedy too.

I can't imagine anyone not liking FSM. I can understand not thinking it's a great, landmark film, but it is as universally likeable as it gets.
Posted by Baloo
Formerly MDGeaux
Member since Sep 2003
49645 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 2:57 pm to
Yeah, I like how no one is a cardboard villain. Even the Russell Brand character, and I usually can't stand him. He's at least sort of open about his own shallowness, and he genuinely likes Peter and does his best to not hurt his feelings. and he leaves Sarah the moment he starts feeling used instead of as a person.

You can see every person's point of view, and it is all valid. Most importantly, its funny.
Posted by Pilot Tiger
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2005
73182 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:08 pm to
quote:

Yeah, I like how no one is a cardboard villain
yea he's not the standard rom com "other guy"

I think that definitely adds depth and helps lift the movie
Posted by Goldrush25
San Diego, CA
Member since Oct 2012
33794 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:26 pm to
This one from House of Lies is a personal favorite of mine.


Posted by JetsetNuggs
Member since Jun 2014
14155 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:28 pm to
Great movie and produced one of the all-time "who's hotter?" debates.
This post was edited on 4/18/18 at 3:28 pm
Posted by The Truth 34
Chavez Ravine
Member since May 2010
41203 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:28 pm to
Posted by ellunchboxo
Gtown
Member since Feb 2009
18864 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:40 pm to
It’s on my bring five dvd’s with you on a deserted island list.
Posted by BlackAdam
Member since Jan 2016
6484 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:43 pm to
Dracula Musical takes it over the top.
Posted by jchamil
Member since Nov 2009
16676 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:50 pm to
I remember thinking when I first saw the trailers for this movie that it looked like one of the movies that showed all of the funny parts in the previews. Then I went and watched it in the theatre with my gf and laughed my arse off most of the movie. I absolutely loved Kenneth from 30 Rock as the newlywed scared of sex with his wife
Posted by Thracken13
Aft Cargo Hold of Serenity
Member since Feb 2010
16226 posts
Posted on 4/18/18 at 3:51 pm to
I'd pay to see the Dracula Musical live
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