Is Sarah Marshall Forgettable? (A3)

Not really. The Universal laffer pulled in $17.3 million in its opening weekend. The Apatow-produced comedy featured notable talent from the forgotten NBC series "Freaks and Geeks". Nicholas Stoller directed the film, and the screenplay was penned by lead actor Jason Segel. The story centers around Peter Bretter, a music composer for a hit television series starring his demanding girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). Tragedy strikes when Sarah informs him that their relationship is over and that there is another love interest.

Heartbroken, Peter decides to take his step-brother Brian's advice and take a solo trip to Hawaii in order to get away. Ironically, he checks into the same hotel as Sarah and new beau Alduous Snow (Russell Brand), a crotch-grabbing Brit rocker (whose absurdity can be compared to both brothers in Oasis.) Throughout the film, Peter deals with trying to get over his terminated relationship while enjoying paradise. He is befriended by hotel concierge Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), who later becomes a...drumroll please...love interest. Will Peter fall in love with Rachel or try to make amends with Sarah?

Overall, the film is funny because of how the jokes relate to the character. In this case, it's a depressed stuffed bear by the name of Peter. The film employed a formulaic structure typical of most sitcoms. The comedy wasn't as physical as the prior Apatow films, but the snappy dialogue and vulgar exchanges were definitely perpetuated.