Forgetting Sarah Marshall does bad breakups right

Universal Pictures’ Forgetting Sarah Marshall sits brokenhearted in second place during its debut at the box office this weekend.

The latest comedy by producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up) came up short with $17.3 million over the last three days.

Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) thought he had it all in his life. He underscores the music on a television show, “Crime Scene,” and is dating the star of the show, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell).

But what goes up must come crashing down. Sarah arrives home as Peter steps out of the shower, and she proceeds to break up with him. Not wanting to put clothes on (which would mean the break-up is complete), Peter begins a slow spiral into depression.

Lifting his spirits a tad is his step-brother, Brian (Bill Hader), who agrees to be his wingman at the bar one night. After several meaningless flings, Peter decides to take a trip to Hawaii that he had always planned to take with Sarah.

Just as Peter arrives at the posh resort, he meets customer service rep Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), and there is some chemistry already present. What enhances that chemistry is the fact that Sarah is at the same resort with her new beau, rocker Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).

While feeling that the resort is a bit too pricey for him, Peter ends up staying there anyway due to some assistance by Rachel.

It isn’t long before Peter’s misery soon makes him popular with several of the resort’s employees, including Kemo (Taylor Wily), Dwayne the Bartender (Davon McDonald) and surfer Chuck (Paul Rudd).

However, Peter seems to handle being at the same resort well, despite constantly running into Sarah and Aldous. In fact, Aldous makes half-hearted attempts to get along with Peter, despite Sarah’s resistance.

Aldous also has himself a huge fan in Matthew the Waiter (Jonah Hill), who’d love for Aldous to listen to his demo CD.

The plot definitely takes a sudden turn towards the end of the film, which affects both Peter and Sarah, with the possibility of bringing them back together again.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a film, in a lot of ways, that doesn’t depict the right way to handle a break-up. Granted, listening to sad songs is the norm, but perpetual flings don’t bring closure.

The movie really picks up once the setting is shifted to Hawaii, and Mila’s Rachel steals every scene. She comes off as sympathetic to Peter, and manages to bring him back to life.

Brand’s Aldous is also hilarious, as he wants to make nice with Peter, and yet becomes cynical towards the end. His attitude towards Matthew’s devotion is funny as well.

What gets lost among the characters is Sarah herself. At times seen as eye candy, Sarah’s overall personality is actually bland, to which makes you wonder why Peter was so broken hearted to begin with. In fact, you find yourself rooting him and Rachel on.

There is a lot of typical Apatow humor throughout, and unfortunately, the graphic nudity shown isn’t for the fellas’ sake.

So, how can you mend a broken heart? Go see Forgetting Sarah Marshall and laugh the hurt away at three and a half out of four stars.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is rated R for sexual content, language and some graphic nudity. Running time is 1 hour, 52 minutes.

Last week’s No. 1, Screen Gems’ “Prom Night” lands at No. 3 with $9.1 million, and close to $33 million in the past ten days.

Sony Pictures’ “21” continues to fold, as it slipped to No. 6 with $5.5 million — its month-long tally is now at $70 million.

20th Century Fox’s “Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears A Who” fell from sixth to eighth place with $3.5 million — which brought its six-week total to $144.4 million.

Almost out of the game is Universal Pictures’ “Leatherheads,” as it lost yardage from No. 5 down to the ten spot with $3 million and $26.5 million over the three weeks.

For more information and show times, contact Regal Cinemas Marketplace 24, 180 Mill Road, Oaks, at 610-666-6697.

Dennis J. Wright can be reached at dwright@phoenixvillenews.com.