Plot: What’s it about?
Is it sad or funny that I found more than a few parallels between Steve Carells’ character and myself? Ok, don’t answer that. In all honesty, we don’t have that much in common, moreover his “main” problem. But he’s an individual and set in his ways, too. The 40-Year-Old Virgin is just that, a movie about a man who has tried, and failed, to have intercourse with a woman. While the movie is a comedy, I’m sure there are a lot of men (and women) who can relate to the concept. Co-written by Carell and producer/writer Judd Apatow, who have collaborated on several other projects together, this tackles a rather sensitive subject. And let’s be honest, this “Unrated” version had me laughing but I can see where the audience might be a bit limited. Sophomoric humor abounds (another reason I liked it, I suppose), the gags are physical and the plot a bit predictable. But there’s something very genuine about Carell’s performance that makes it that much more believable.
Carell stars as Andy Stitzer, a shy guy who works in an electronics store doing stock. His life outside of work consists of playing video games, riding his bike and collecting superhero action figures. In short, he’s a big kid. After work one evening, he’s invited to a card game with his co-workers: David (Paul Rudd), Cal (Seth Rogen) and Jay (Romany Malco). Doing their “men thing”, the conversation turns to locker room talk and it becomes abundantly clear that Andy is still a virgin in spite of his best efforts to hide it. His friends are, in short, amazed and overwhelmed with pity and decide to rectify the situation by hooking him up with a “sure thing” in the form of Beth (Elizabeth Banks), a loose book store clerk. They also taking him to a speed dating service and even hire a prostitute. But this has the opposite effect and does more harm than good. However when he meets Trish (Catherine Keener), things change and Andy genuinely likes her. His friends feel he has to have casual sex, however, before attempting it with someone he cares about. Shenanigans ensue.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin hits a few chords here and there and managed to make me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. This “Unrated” version contains about 17 more minutes than the theatrical version and since I never saw the movie in theaters, I dont know whats been added though I have a few guesses. Amidst the pratfalls of a regular comedy, this movie succeeds were others have failed. Steve Carell may not be a Brat Pitt or Tom Cruise, but he delivers a sincere and underrated performance that was just what the movie called for. The supporting cast of the movie is what makes it work with plenty of eye candy for the men out there and proof that it’s not always looks that women look for in a guy. In conclusion, Id have to say this is a movie worth seeing though Im a bit puzzled by the closing sequence. Ill have to check out Milos Foreman’s Hair again to see if I can catch the reference(s). Recommended.
Video: How does it look?
When a hairy man is having his chest waxed, I can imagine that the only way to truly experience it (short of being there) is to watch it in 4K. And, well, yeah – it delivers. Kidding aside, it’s about time this movie got a decent overhaul. While never looking “bad” for lack of a better term, I alway found this to be a bit on the baked side with oversaturated colors and the like. Thankfully Universal’s new 1.85:1 HEVC 4K image fixes most of that, giving us a nice, even and very “film like” appearance to the movie. Flesh tones are warm and natural, colors are bold and the film has strong contrast so you can soak up every bit of 2005 like you were there. It’s not perfect, mind you, but an immense upgrade over the previously-released Blu-rays.
Audio: How does it sound?
We get a new Dolby Atmos sound mix, though comedies aren’t generally the appropriate genre to explore the limits of your home theater system. And given that the movie wasn’t really made with dynamic sound in mind, I did find the highlight from the movie is the drunk girl driving the car. Dialogue is the prevalent aspect of sound here and it sounds rich and full coming through the center channel. The ending credits do light up the track a bit but on the whole, this is a bit better than average. It’s nice to have an Atmos soundtrack, to be sure, but ultimately I found it unnecessary.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Most of the features are recycled from previous versions, though the addition of a new supplement does add a bit more allure to the mix.
- 20th Anniversary Discussion– The film’s lone new supplement finds a good portion of the cast reunited as they discuss the film, its long-lasting appeal as well as some various other tidbits. Included are Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Jane Lynch, Kat Dennings and Gerry Bednob.
- Audio Commentary – We get a commentary track with Carell, Director Judd Apatow and the cast. There is a lot of chuckling here, mainly all of the guys laughing at themselves, but theres a lot of information to be gleamed from this as well. Little things about the movie and the screenwriting process which make the track nearly as funny as the movie itself.
- Deleted Scenes – Some deleted scenes with optional commentary by Apatow are included, though if you watch the unrated cut these will look oddly familiar.
- You Know How I Know You’re Gay? – Essentially a riff on the scene in the movie which was, obviously, improvised.
- Date-a-Palooza – Ever had 20 dates in one hour? It’s quite thrilling.
- Line-O-Rama – As is the case with other Universal titles, this is just alternate/improvised takes on various scenes.
- Judd’s Video Diaries – Apatow is the ultimate director and these are his versions of “dailies.”
- Auditions – Awww. They’re so cute when they were young and (relatively) unknown.
- Raw Footage – Yeah. Pretty much that. Kind of the opposite direction when watching the film in 4K, eh?
- Rehearsals – This delivers as promises. It’s, you guessed it, rehearsals.
- Reel Comedy Roundtable – Again, just that. A roundtable reading of the script.
- Cinemax Final Cut: The 40-Year-Old Virgin –
- 1970s Sex Ed Film – Pretty much that. If you’re looking for “vintage” this is it. And hey…be safe.
- My Dinner with Stormy – Actor/Producer Seth Rogan (Cal) as he meets with Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, telling her about her role in the film. Who knew at the time how integral this person would become later in her life…
- Gag Reel – With this group, you can bet there were plenty of antics.
- Waxing Doc – There were four cameras that filmed the infamous “Chest Waxing Scene” and we get to see it from every point of view. It’s become perhaps the most iconic segment of the film.
The Bottom Line
Of all the Judd Apatow produced/directed films, this might be the most notable (I personally prefer Step Brothers, but it wasn’t directed by Apatow). Still, this put a lot of now familiar faces on the map and it’s hard to believe that two decades later I still found it oddly relevant (minus the lack of political-correctness). This 4K disc looks and sounds better than it ever has and the addition of a new supplement only sweetens the deal.
