Knocked
Up
- In theaters June 1st 2007
- Rated R for sexual content, drug use and
language
- Runtime: 129 min
- 4 out of 5
COMPLETE REVIEW BELOW
Review by Anne Jackson for Mungles on Movies
I confess. I am a bit of a movie snob. I love
independent films full of life, color, and originality. I
love a strategically choreographed plot, characters
with hidden purpose and meaning. Typically, I am not
one for sophomoric humor and raunch.
However, Knocked Up might have me thinking
differently.
In this epitomical American "hook up" story, we meet
Alison Scott (Katherin Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth
Rogan). They connect at a bar where Alison is
celebrating a job promotion, and Ben is just doing
what he does - getting drunk and trying to find a lady,
any lady, who will go home with him.
With beer goggles fully intact, the pretty, seemingly
smart Alison invites Ben back to her place. Intoxicated
and, shall we say amorous, the two do what, well, I
think you can fill in the blanks.
A few weeks later, Alison begins to feel sick. Her
coworkers joke around with her, taunting that she
might be pregnant. "Pregnant?" she asks, "To be
pregnant, I would have had to have, " And a look of
sheer panic crosses her face.
Alison and her sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) make a
mad rush to the local pharmacy and verify over, and
over, and over again that she is in fact pregnant. Bad
luck, considering the promotion Alison was
celebrating was to be an on-air reporter with E!
Entertainment.
Knowing that Ben's social status is, well, lacking as a
Canadian without a green card, managing an adult
website and making no income, as well as living with
several of the dumbest people one could ever
encounter, Alison is hesitant to reconnect with Ben.
However, they meet, visit the gynecologist and confirm
that Alison is indeed pregnant.
Ben freaks out, unsure of what to do, but decides to
support Alison however he can. Maybe they can learn
to fall in love. Or at least like. Their two contrasting
lifestyles are definitely a challenge. Alison is easily
grossed out by Ben's roommates, and Ben is a little
intimidated by Alison's wealthy family.
Adult humor and pointless nudity aside, Knocked Up
was especially charming. The characters, although
flawed, were authentic and likeable. Alison learns to
accept things she can't control, and Ben slowly learns
and accepts his fast lesson in adulthood.
I do have to warn this movie is not for those who are
easily offended by language, drugs, sexual content or
nudity. Although not gratuitous, there were plenty of all
of those elements to pass around the circle. Knocked
Up is consistently humorous, charismatic and an
honest take on how we can look at the positive side of
life's little surprises. I give knocked up 4 out of
5 "What to Expect when You're Expecting" books.
============================
Anne Jackson is a twenty-something writer, artist &
rooibos addict who lives in the Dallas area with her
husband, Chris. Chris and Anne both are on staff at
Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. She is a
member of the North Texas Film Critic's Association
and an avid fan of all things Scottish. She has recently
written for Relevant Magazine, Church Marketing
Sucks, and Lake Pointe Life. You can reach Anne on
her blog at
Flowerdust.net.