Innocent until proven guilty
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Review by Ross Anthony

Steve Carell cracked me to pieces in a smaller role in Will Ferrell's "Anchorman," so I keep expecting great things from him (I also remember him pleasantly from "The Daily Show"). But his performance in "Bewitched" fell flat. And now, in the first half of "Virgin," his efforts fail to even crack a smile on my face. But that first half fails on many more levels. No one is funny, though many try. The production and acting feel empty, out of the groove. Further, there is very little redeeming value for a great deal of tolerating unclever, unoriginal jokes on sex.

Fortunately, the film picks up midway when it leaves behind virgin jokes that would have been just as useable (or not) were they in a movie about an 20-year-old virgin or a 30-year-old virgin. Finally, the main character begins a relationship with a real woman and his predicament comes into some semblance of real importance, thus giving the film some substance. Now we care. And from that point on, the jokes seem to get slightly more clever, the timing and fluidity pick up until the picture climaxes (if you'll excuse the expression) with a surprising freshness. I'd even venture to say, that this is a more satisfying film ending as of late (given the duds of "War of the Worlds" and "Fantastic Four").

Still, a full first half of flatline plus a second half on the upswing only add up to B-.

This film screened a Yelm Cinemas.


  • The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann.
  • Directed by Judd Apatow.
  • Screenplay by Judd Apatow & Steve Carell.
  • Produced by Judd Apatow, Clayton Townsend, Shauna Robertson at Universal Pictures.

Grade..........................B- (1.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:22:15 PDT