This is 40 (** out of ****)

Judd Apatow understands how to bring heart to comedy. He also knows how to address topics that seem much more personal. Yet with This is 40 the director has made a film that is high of itself. Instead of simply addressing the problems of a family as the move into middle age in the current world, he's made film to show off. Leslie Mann is a beautiful woman but does Apatow really need at least three scenes describing how gorgeous his real life wife is? It's not just a film that was inspired by Apatow's life, but one to show how wonderful it is. Some of the problems of the characters seem eye roll worthy. It seems like a bitter statement from me but this film made me see why the criticism for Funny People was there. It's often engaging and is somewhat funny, but leads nowhere. The ending is more of when it will happen and not what it will be. Paul Rudd is charming and the cast does well though. One day it I may see it in a different light, but today is not the time.

** out of ****