Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

(2008)
Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) has spent six years idolizing his TV-star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). But his perfect world gets turned upside down when he finds himself dumped and alone. An unsuccessful bout of womanizing and an on-the-job nervous breakdown do nothing to help matters.

So Peter decides to clear his head and take a holiday in Hawaii. But ol' Sarah Marshall is staying at the same hotel with her tragically hip new British rocker boyfriend, Aldous (Russell Brand). Just as things couldn’t get any worse for poor Pete, he meets pretty hotel employee Rachel (Mila Kunis).

Comedy powerhouse Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin) produces this film written by Freaks and Geeks / Knocked Up star Jason Segel and directed by debutant filmmaker Nicholas Stoller.
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The Reviews

Flicks Review

Comedy powerhouse Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin) produces this film written by Freaks and Geeks star Jason Segel and directed by debutant filmmaker Nicholas Stoller. The result is a humorous, if predictable, account of a grown man's break-up pain.

Peter Bretters's girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, is a famous TV star on a crime series for which he composes the music. When she dumps him without warning, Peter realises the only way he might cure his woes is with a nice holiday in Hawaii. Trouble is, Sarah and her new boyfriend, Brit rocker Aldous Snow, are staying at the same resort (The story allegedly draws on Segel's real-life experiences for inspiration).

You should see this purely for the relaxed performances from some emerging comedic talent. Russell Brand proves the crowd favourite as the flamboyant Snow, but it's Jason Segel who carries this show as a nakedly honest (sometimes literally) man in crisis. There are some great supporting roles from Paul Rudd as an idiotic surfer and Jonah Hill as an obsessive fan.

A highlight is a scene set around a beach-side dinner table, with two couples enjoying an awkward shared meal. The flow of dialogue feels natural, relaxed, and the scene crackles with energy. Also welcome is the film's laidback, slow pace - it's as if the whole thing is running on Hawaii-time.

But whilst it's an enjoyable character-based film, with some quotable lines ("I'm gonna B my L all over your Ts") and plenty of light laughs, it's a shame that Forgetting Sarah Marshall's predictable story and rather flat direction prevents it from being truly unforgettable.

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The Peoples' Reviews

Average ratings from 2 ratings, 2 reviews
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Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I cant get you out of my head

BY munchkin superstar

A very funny tale about a young guy who is still in love with his ex and tries to get her out of his mind and takes a holiday only to find his ex and her new boyfriend are at the same place plenty of giggles and ohhs that sads along the way all in all a half decent good film

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Nice

BY Bella

Whilst this movie may not be as ground breaking or have as many laugh out loud moments as Knocked up it is definitely worth going to see. My favourite thing about this movie is Russell Brand as Aldous snow. He was an absolute scene stealer I just wish his part could have been bigger. Jonah Hill also shines in this movie despite his small role. They both have an effortless humor about them. Male lead Jason Segel is very endearing and while I had a hard time at first believing that this average... More Jo would be dating a massive tv star I was soon won over by his awkward and sweet character and then didn't really care about the logistics. Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell are also likable enough but it really the male performances that make the movie.Hide

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The Press Reviews

84% of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

  • BBC

    If Peter's imperfections are exaggerated, it's to amusing effect: his frequent heavy sobbing fits can't fail to entertain. And that's one of the genius touches of this comedy. It's prepared to expose the vulnerabilities of its hero and humiliate him completely - to the point where you've just got to love him and laugh at him in equal measure. Full Review

  • Empire Magazine [UK]

    A tropical sex comedy that’s a little unfocused, but Segal and co throw plenty of funniness at the wall - and most of it sticks. Full Review

  • Guardian [UK]

    Judd Apatow's comedies are always watchable and sometimes hilarious, but with the latest to emerge under his aegis, I have to admit it is getting harder to defend them against the charge of misogyny. Full Review

  • NZ Herald [Francesca Rudkin]

    It's a film with some home truths and offbeat characters in ordinary situations mixed with ordinary characters in offbeat situations. The laughs are there, but it's a shame they're a long time coming. Full Review

  • Premiere Magazine [USA]

    Yeah, it's pretty funny. And it's a pretty accurate depiction of a certain feature of male romantic humiliation. But it's also a little -- and this is one of my two misgivings about the movie -- expected. Full Review

  • The Press [Margaret Agnew]

    Straddling the boundary between chick-flick and dick-flick, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is an enjoyable addition to the Apatow comedy canon. It's not as hilarious as The 40-Year-Old Virgin don't expect to laugh out loud but it should save a few arguments about what to see on date night. Full Review

  • TV3 [Daniel Rutledge]

    1/2 It's too soppy to truly please Apatow groupies and too vulgar for rom-com junkies. There are some hilarious parts, but overall Forgetting Sarah Marshall is fairly underwhelming. Full Review

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