Knocked Up

Knocked Up is a classic example of a comedy film. Seth Rogen plays a man (Ben) who doesn't have a job, hangs out with his friends and leads a generally very childish life. Katherine Heigl plays a successful career driven woman (Alison) who has just been promoted to an on-screen role at the television station she works for. One night the two meet in a club and he gets her pregnant, and the rest of the film follows the impact this has on both their lives, with undoubtedly comedic consequences.

Before dealing with the comedy side of it, I’d like to say that I think Knocked Up has a lovely story as well as being amusing. The change that Seth Rogen’s character undergoes during the pregnancy is very nice to watch. He goes from cruising through life to taking some serious responsibilities and changes from being a potentially terrible father to a man who will make a fantastic dad. However, his character is absolutely hilarious as well. Regardless of whether he is hanging out with his mates or if he is in the presence of Alison’s sister and her family there is always something funny happening. Seth Rogen doesn't exactly excel in this role, but then again, it is a difficult role to excel in. As in nearly every other film he is in, he plays his role with immense comedy, and there is no doubt that he is a very funny man.

Katherine Heigl also does very well, and I particularly enjoyed the scene where she flips out at Seth Rogen and orders him to get out of the car. The argument that follows is very funny and she manages to portray the different aspects of pregnancy very well. I don’t know if she has had children (a quick bit of research tells me that she has two, but gave birth to neither of them), but she is very believable in the role that she plays. The best thing about this film, aside from the comedy, is that Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl have fantastic on screen chemistry. Even when they are completely at the throats of each other, they are fantastic to watch together. Katherine Heigl is the one ‘sore thumb’ in the cast, by which I mean that she hasn't appeared in a number of other films featuring the cast and hasn't been in other Judd Apatow films. This isn't a criticism though, because she is very amusing throughout, and stands as the polar opposite to Seth Rogen, which works very well.

Many Judd Apatow films see a fair few actors and actresses who pop up in various roles, and Knocked Up is no exception. The notable appearances are Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, and Jonah Hill. Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow’s real life wife) plays Alison’s older sister, and is absolutely brilliant. Her delivery is perfect and the character she plays is fantastically written. She is changeable and works wonderfully with Paul Rudd, who plays her husband. Their marriage and its difficulties are a continual source of (slightly dark) humour. Whoever thought up the idea of the scene where she thinks he is having an affair, follows him and discovers that he is really in a fantasy baseball draft deserves a medal because this scene had me in stitches.

In addition to these two are Jason Segel and Jonah Hill who play two of Ben’s friends. Together the guys are building a website called ‘Flesh of the Stars’ which provides much amusement throughout the film. However, it is how natural the relationship between the guys seems that is most satisfying to watch. I think Jason Segel is one of the best comedic actors of today (and that may just be a personal preference) but he is absolutely wonderful in Knocked Up. His knowledge of a number of areas is particularly amusing, especially at the end when he says that ‘gynaecology is just a hobby of mine’ and proceeds to explain what is happening in the delivery room. Jonah Hill has a very ‘bland’ character in this film, but he makes it work so very well. He is socially awkward around anyone except the other guys he lives with and this provides some very funny moments when other people turn up, such as when Alison is round and he is left alone with her.

The main redeeming feature of Knocked Up is that it has a number of other storylines which make the film continually funny rather than just following the pregnancy story. There is the long-running issue of Martin’s hair, the issue of Seth Rogen’s marijuana habit, the pranks that the guys play on each other, and the involvement of Ben’s dad. All of these scenes add up to produce a very funny film, and Judd Apatow’s ability to write a funny film which keeps you laughing almost to the end is second to none.

Knocked Up will never be considered as one of the greatest films, but it is easily one of the best comedy films I have seen. There are many laugh out loud moments, and several occasions where you find yourself engaged with the characters and concerned about what will happen in the story. It is a film best to watch with friends, but unless you have no sense of humour, you will definitely laugh at some point during the film. Not one to miss in my opinion.