The 40 Year-Old Virgin Review

Steve Carell has come quite a way since starring opposite Jim Carrey in "Bruce Almighty" and this US smash hit should see his Hollywood stock continue to rise. Carell stars as Andy Stitzer, a sheltered 40-year-old who works in the repair department of an electrical store. His 'bachelor pad' is filled to bursting with action figures and toys and his life is just about as regimented as it can be. So it really comes as no great surprise when Andy's workmates discover that he has yet to discover the pleasures of the flesh, despite some rather close calls. What follows is Andy's journey to as his friends endeavour to help him pop his cork.

There can be no denying that this is one seriously funny movie. Carell proves that he has more than enough to top-line a film and gives a character that could all too easily have been seen as a bit pathetic, a heart and some innocent charm. And credit to him - not many other actors would be able to stay in character while having their chest waxed on screen.

The movie also manages to avoid falling too far into the whole 'laddish' trap that has blighted similar films by crossing the line with loads of saucy gags. Sure there are loads of set pieces as his workmates try to pop Andy's cherry but his burgeoning relationship with single mom Trish (Catherine Keener) keeps proceedings on the right side of sweet.

It's true that at almost two hours "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" is a touch long but with more of the jokes hitting than missing, you can forgive director Judd Apatow his indulgence - he obviously wanted to get in as much funny stuff as humanly possible.