Forgetting Sarah Marshall
2008 · Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
- drama
The story
When actress Sarah Marshall dumps aspiring musician Peter Bretter for rock star Aldous Snow, Peter's world comes crashing down. His best friend Brian suggests that Peter should get away from everything and to fly off to Hawaii to escape all his problems. After arriving in Hawaii and meeting the beautiful receptionist Rachel Jansen, Peter is shocked to see not only Aldous in Hawaii, but also Sarah.
What it’s like
Bright, sun-saturated daylight over Hawaiian beaches and resort pools, with warm palms, turquoise water and a loose, handheld-leaning camera that stays close to its cast in breezy, unfussy comedy framing. The mood is sun-bleached and wounded: a comedy of heartbreak that keeps undercutting its own sadness with goofy physical bits, awkward silences and frank, sometimes raunchy talk. Its sound is pop-rock and easygoing island music, and the pace is brisk and talky, with scenes that often let an uncomfortable beat run a little long for laughs. Sexual content is frequent and explicit in dialogue and some nudity, with bawdy humor throughout, but the violence is minimal and the emotional stakes are low. The story follows a heartbroken, hangdog guy slowly finding his footing, gaining confidence and a bit of self-respect as he learns to stop waiting for others to rescue him. It suits a lazy weekend, a break-up rewatch with friends, or a light night in. It is for people who want a funny, warm, slightly bruised romantic comedy and don't mind crude jokes.
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