Writer/Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl and Paul Rudd
‘A Powerful Pregnancy Comedy’
Not many actors have made movies that excel like Jay Baruchel. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Baruchel has crafted great movies. Whether it’s police officers, phone inventors or troubled soldiers, Baruchel has played several strong characters. Arguably, Baruchel’s finest strength as an actor has often been his sharp sense of humour. He is one of those stars that has always had a sharp sense of humour that has elevated every movie. Baruchel has never been afraid to take risks in his career through playing complex characters that aren’t always likeable. An actor with strong commitment to his craft, Baruchel has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through a sharp sense of humour, Baruchel has become a celebrated actor that audiences value. Throughout a bold career, Baruchel has made many memorable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Baruchel and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Knocked Up” is my favourite. Released in 2009, Judd Apatow’s comedy offered a bold portrait of unwanted pregnancy. Packed with breathtaking production design, captivating production design and strong storytelling, it’s one of the best comedies ever made. At the center of it all is an incredible performance by Jay Baruchel, who embodies a reckless man trapped in a broken marriage facing disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Knocked Up” a comic classic is universal appeal. Unlike most films in the comedy genre, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would trilateral to. A captivating comedy classic, there are many reasons why “Knocked Up” is a comedy which is definitely worth seeing.
“Knocked Up” tells the story about a couple which has an unintended pregnancy causing tragedy. Seth Rogen portrays Ben Stone, a reckless slacker with a tendency to engage in immature behaviour. Ben has always had an aptitude for getting in trouble. However, Ben’s life forever changes when he has a one night stand with a girl which causes an unintended pregnancy. Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is a career-oriented woman with a strong drive to achieve success. Despite their polar opposite personalities, Ben and Allison immediately get along well together. Their relationship is tested when Allison gets pregnant. Faced with a grim dilemma, Ben is forced to question whether he can resolve a relationship that causes trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Ben begins to wonder whether he will be able to overcome a relationship that faces disaster. Facing a troubled situation, Ben questions if it is possible for him to overcome a relationship under tension.
Judd Apatow has always been fascinated with the comedy genre. A strong filmmaker, Apatow has often made engaging films about couples that face disaster. His iconic comedy “40 Year Old Virgin” offered an engaging depiction of a virgin seeking romantic relationships causing a disaster. With “Knocked Up”, however, Apatow direcyed his first pregnancy comedy. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tensions of women that experience unintended pregnancy, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Apatow captures a couple on journeys to confront an unintended pregnancy. Apatow successfully uses montage to capture tensions that women experiencing unintended pregnancy are facing. For instance, montages elevate the hookup scene. During this hilarious scene, Ben hooks up with Allison in a romantic relationship at a bar causing tension. Montage is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Matt Johnson’s “BlackBerry” suggested, montages elevate biopics about smartphone companies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Apatow captures tensions that couples experiencing unintended pregnancy are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Knocked Up” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Apatow successfully uses production design to capture tensions that are experienced by couples whose lives decline. Throughout the film, hospitals play pivotal roles in showcasing tensions women facing unintended pregnancies are enduring. For instance, the set design of the hospitals enhances the pregnancy scene. During this unforgettable scene, Allison faces tension as she discovers she has become pregnant by accident. Through real-life hospitals, Apatow creates a portrait of unintended pregnancy audiences can relate to. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Joe Henry’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden pregnant women bear. Through stunning set design, Apatow captures pregnancies causing couples to decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Knocked Up” is a comedy about pregnancy that’s compelling. The film is extremely well-written, and successfully uses flashbacks to capture tensions women enduring unintended pregnancy are facing. Throughout the movie, Apatow utilizes flashbacks to capture tensions that women facing unintended pregnancy are facing. For instance, flashbacks enhance the pregnancy memories scene. During this tense scene, Allison recounts reckless memories of becoming pregnant by accident that caused adversities. Through captivating flashbacks, Apatow constructs a portrait of an unintended pregnancy that’s compelling. Flashbacks are complex techniques to use in most movies. As Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” claimed, flashbacks elevate sports films about boxing. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a commemorated screenplay, Apatow captures couples facing accident pregnancies with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jay Baruchel delivers one of his best career performances as Jay. Baruchel first earned appreciation for playing serious men facing tension in music dramas. With “Knocked Up”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a comedic man facing unintended pregnancies but he pulled it off successfully. This is the star unlike you have ever see him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and resentments of a man that faces unintended pregnancy. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most admired actors today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Jay Baruchel, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of appreciation. Seth Rogen is spectacular, capturing the tension of a man that becomes involved in an unintended pregnancy causing romantic relationships to face destruction. Katherine Heigl is powerful, capturing the painful emotions endured by a woman facing unintended pregnancies which are stressful. Lastly, Jason Segel is worthy of appreciations. As a husband facing a broken marriage, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Knocked Up” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of couples which are messed up. Unlike most films about unintended pregnancy, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film tackles strong themes including mental health, pregnancy and marriage that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be highly familiar with pregnancies to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message regarding pregnancy that would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Knocked Up” is one of those rare comedies about pregnancy which everyone would adore.
Fans of Jay Baruchel would definitely enjoy “Knocked Up” and so will movie-goers that seek comedic entertainment. A captivating comedy classic, it honours an actor that is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a knocked up couple experiencing an unintended pregnancy, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 