Knocked Up Movie Review

Rating: R for sexual content, drug use and language
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen
Director: Judd Apatow
Genre: Sex Comedy/Drama/Romance
Violence: Minor
Profanity: High
Sex/Nudity: Graphic
Recommended for: dads and teens
Age Groups: 16 years and above
Running Time: 129 minutes
Release Date: June 1, 2007

What do you get when you take an overgrown slacker named Ben Stone and make him bed Alison Scott, a hot 24 year old entertainment journalist, on a one night stand? A romantic comedy amongst un-equals? No! You get Knocked Up: a warm, fuzzy and yet inappropriate comedy about what- happens-after.

Knocked Up is a strange movie about unplanned pregnancy that’s rapidly capturing American hearts and minds. The plot involves the above mentioned odd-couple making some big unexpected decisions about bringing a child into the world. So this pre-conception drama has the pair dating and learning more about each other than they would normally like to. Basically, its beauty and brains facing up with drunken ineptitude. The consequences are funny for both adults and are depicted with generous portions of physical humor.

Parents beware: the dramas and plot twists that follow are laden with streams of profanity, instances of reckless behavior, and acts of random nudity. This is definitely not a film for your ten-year olds. Teens, on the other hand, will find themselves right at home with this latest example of their favorite ‘eww, that’s disgusting!’ genre, popularized by predecessors such as ‘There’s Something About Mary,’ ‘American Pie’ (one, two and… gasp…three) and of course, ‘The Forty-Year Old Virgin’ (same director, capiche?)

Here’s a little spoiler: what really startled audiences was the realistic childbirth scene at the end, which is frightening, even for most adults. Not unreasonably, some critics have pointed this out as a brave move made by the director, Judd Apatow. Parents can really talk this movie up with their teens. After all, it brings out a topic that affects 1/3rd of their demographic: unplanned pregnancy, a topic that’s still taboo in most American films.

The movie touches on some positive aspects for would-be dads—like nurture and caring. Ben, who has never held a steady job in his life accepts Allison’s pregnancy, becomes responsible and changes his life to prepare for the baby-to-come.

Judd Apatow certainly manages to show how an everyday miracle like pregnancy can truly change a couple’s lives and make them do things they never thought were possible.