This is 38? Middle age comes crashing down hard in "This Is 40," the sort-of-sequel to "Knocked Up," and the first trailer is here to give us a taste of Judd Apatow's latest turn behind the camera, one that finds him once again stretching into dramatic territory while still bringing his trademark laughs, driven by life's uncomfortable, real moments.
As you know Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles as Pete and Debbie, in a new story that focuses on their relationship as the latter hits the big 4-0. Facing the age that for many women marks a frightening, unknowable turning point, Debbie finds renewed energy to raise her kids right, fix the problems in her relationship and remain fit and attractive. Apatow has been down this road before, balancing real life issues with earnest comedy in the uneven "Funny People," but it already looks like he's found a balance here that he couldn't achieve with that film. This teaser trailer is very funny, but the undercurrent is boosted by characters that feel honest, grounded and real. In short, we dig it.
Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Melissa McCarthy, Lena Dunham, Chris O'Dowd, Charlyne Yi, Albert Brooks and John Lithgow round out the cast. "This Is 40"arrives on December 21st. Could this be Apatow's first stab at Oscar? P.S. The song in the trailer is "We Are Young" by Fun. And in case you forgot, Jon Brion is doing the score too.