Perfectly cast and impeccably written, Judd Apatow’s smash comedy hasn’t lost any of its charm or humor since its release. Steve Carell makes for a terrific leading man here, and he’s surrounded by a cast of top-notch comedic talent, from Seth Rogen to Paul Rudd to Catherine Keener among others, who each match him tit-for-tat. At well over two hours, it’s hard not to notice that the movie is overlong and runs out of steam in the last twenty minutes, but getting there is a downright pleasure every step of the way. Watch for a star-making turn by Elizabeth Banks, who imbues her secondary character with enough demented energy and razor-sharp comedic timing that she stands out even among such terrific comedy heavyweights.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
