DVD of the Week: Knocked Up

Four kernels*

Sitting through Katherine Heigl's less-than-impressive rom-com The Ugly Truth last week made me nostalgic for her much better rom-com, Knocked Up (2007). I remember actually seeing this one in the movie theater, inspired by its positive ratings and my fondness for the Emmy-winning Heigl from Grey's Anatomy. To say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the film is an unstatement. I LOVED this movie, and still do.

What's more, I noticed an interesting phenomenon as I discussed the movie with family and friends. The people who seemed to like the movie the most were women over the age of 35, married with children. Young male slackers, who ostensibly might relate to the male lead and the gross humor, were turned off. I recall one college-aged relative expressing his complete revulsion at a memorably graphic shot of childbirth that produced appropriate fits of laughter among women who had personally gone through the experience. Once you see the movie, you'll know exactly which scene to which I am referring.

Why does this movie appeal so much to the hen crowd? For one thing, it contains the two elements essential to any successful rom-com: likeable characters whom the audience cares about and big, big laughs. A third essential element, which Knocked Up aces, are memorable and funny supporting characters. But what really sets this movie apart is writer/director Judd Apatow's script, which is so realistic in its dialogue and approach to family relationships that one wonders whose home he was bugging to write this story.

For those who don't know, the story centers around Heigl's character of Alison, a beautiful, ambitious entertainment reporter who is clearly on her way up in the world. During a drunken lapse in judgment, she winds up having a one-night-stand with total stranger Ben Stone (Seth Rogen). As his name suggests, this tubby, unemployed pothead comes across in the light of day as a mistake Alison would just as soon forget. She tries, until a pregnancy test reveals a surprise for these unlikely co-parents.

Alison and Ben decide to have the baby and even start dating while pregnant to try to see if they can make a relationship work. Along the way they are influenced by their families and friends. Alison lives next door to her sister, whose marriage to a nice guy and good father is fraught with tensions over unresolved longings and pressures. Their example makes Alison wary of entering into a relationship in which the two parties might wind up acting more like they hate than love one another. The conversations between this couple (played by Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd) are almost painful to watch in their realism.

Ben is a child of divorce who has never had a strong model for relationships. He and his slacker buddies live a carefree lifestyle in which their major concern is making the first showing of the latest big-budget action flick. It is to Apatow's credit that he doesn't make Alison a snob about Ben's friends. She and the buddies like and accept each other as they are. She just doesn't want these stoners to raise her baby, lest they forget which is the baby and which is the bong.

Inwardly, Ben knows that to be a good father and partner he will have to give up some of his bad habits and grow up a bit. Apatow's script reflects this internal struggle in a realistic way (save for one less-than-realistic road trip to Vegas subplot). Despite his atypical leading man looks, Rogen and Apatow imbue Ben with enough charm to make the audience understand why someone like Alison might be attracted to him. Another memorable scene involving an empty ring box had every woman in the theater ready to take Ben home with her.

This films resonates with hens because it is ultimately about the struggle to make relationships work. Anyone who has even been married, had long-term friendships, or raised children, understands that maintaining such close relationships is not always easy. Sometimes it is very hard and requires sacrifices. But just like the little bundle of joy that Ben and Alison ultimately bring home, the struggle proves worthwhile. For a reminder of that reality, get Knocked Up this weekend.

Yours in Sisterhood - VB

*The Henhouse Movie Rating System:

Four kernels – An exceptional film worth paying for a babysitter to see in the theater, or worth staying up late to watch on DVD after the kids have gone to bed and devoting your full attention to.

Three kernels – A good film that has many entertaining elements and might be worth seeing in the theater if you have a free babysitting offer from relatives or renting to watch while folding the laundry.

Two kernels – A so-so movie that might be worth seeing if it happens to be on cable and you want something to take your mind off washing dishes without thinking too hard.

One kernel – A bad film only worth watching if you need an unintentional laugh or if it’s the only decent thing you can find on free TV while breastfeeding at 2 a.m.

Zero kernels – A film SO awful you should avoid at all costs; yes, worse than watching even a bad infomercial for the 20th time while breastfeeding at 2 a.m.