This Is 40

Writer-director Judd Apatow spins off his own Knocked Up with the further family adventures of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann, Apatow’s real-life wife). The two characters prove worthy of their own movie thanks to the appeal of Rudd and Mann, who make for a great screen couple. Debbie is not interested in being 40 on her 40th birthday, and Pete wants to eat cupcakes without persecution while trying to get his independent music label up and running. Apatow pits the two against each other, and great comedic arguing ensues. Rudd is always a pleasure to have around, while Mann continues to prove herself as one of Hollywood’s funniest actresses. The supporting cast includes Melissa McCarthy (who steals the movie in her few scenes, including a hilarious closing credit outtake), Jason Segel, Albert Brooks and John Lithgow. They are all in top form, as is Apatow.