Ryan ChartrandLate night clubbing, a drunken sexual encounter, an awkward morning-after followed by a certain stick turning blue eight weeks later is not very funny if it happens to you but it does set the stage for one amazing comedy.
“Knocked Up” is director Judd Apatow’s first follow-up to the 2005 surprise hit “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and he did anything but disappoint.
Through great casting, character development and hilarious dialogue, “Knocked Up” is destined to land a spot next to its predecessor in the comedic hall of fame.
Alison Scott, played by Katherine Heigl of “Grey’s Anatomy,” and Ben Stone, played by “40 Year-Old Virgin” veteran Seth Rogen, are leading very different lives when they meet scrambling to order at the bar of a crowded club.
Scott is out celebrating her job promotion at E! Entertainment Television while the unemployed Stone kicks it with his crew of slacker buddies.
Two Coronas lead to shots which pave the way for the age old question – want to come to my place?
Ultimately, it is a condom miscommunication in the heat of the moment that lands Scott and Stone in their unplanned pregnancy nightmare.
After deciding to keep the baby, the leading couple sets out to get to know each other and put forth a real effort to create a relationship.
What follows is a courtship involving trips to the gynecologist, shopping for baby clothes and meeting the whacky friends and family in each others lives.
Rogan is not your typical leading man, sweeping the girl off of her feet, but his endearing clueless behavior makes the movie.
Prior to the one-night stand, Stone’s laidback lifestyle wasn’t much more than smoking weed, making bets with his friends and working on a celebrity nudity Web site. His journey from deadbeat 20-something to wannabe dad is funny and full of heart.
Although Heigl and Rogan are the lead story line, supporting cast Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, playing Heigl’s sister and brother-in-law, do just as good of a job commanding the audience’s attention through their love,-hate marriage.
Both actors had roles in “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” and their on-screen comedic chemistry and witty banter are unbeatable.
Both onscreen couples had their ups and downs, Apatow developed the two relationships side by side to show the audience it doesn’t matter if you just had a one night stand or have been married for 10 years, all relationships are about the same things.
Although this film has a strong backbone, it is not without great one-liners and raunchy jokes. Stone’s gang of loser friends are constantly involved in a never-ending game of put-downs and name calling as they watch porn and have gladiator-style fights in their backyard.
“Knocked Up” tackles all of the fears and insecurities that go along with commitment and major responsibilities with a lighthearted approach.
The movie’s characters, aside from Heigl, are much goofier than they are beautiful, making their personas relatable, not stereotypical.
With a summer line-up chalked full of blockbuster sequels and big studio action adventures, an unassuming film like “Knocked Up” is a great alternative so funny it could have only stemmed from a one- night stand gone awry.
