Ìý After standout supporting roles in films like Bruce Almighty and Anchorman, Steve Carell took the lead in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. It’s a "risqué yet surprisingly warm-hearted" comedy by writer/director Judd Apatow that eschews the gross-out gags of American Pie to tell the story of a sexual misfit. It scored highly with critics and moviegoers, eventually taking over $108m worldwide.
Wax On, Whacks Off
Since he’s the star of the movie, it’s surprising that Steve Carell isn’t given more talk time on this DVD. A featurette that goes behind-the-scenes on that chest-waxing stunt provides the only opportunity for reflection and even then, he hardly gets to the root of the matter. "How hard could it be?" he asks with trademark innocence. Cue the screaming.
Actor/writer Seth Rogen gives porn star Stormy Daniels an exhaustive audition in a (presumably) spoof featurette, otherwise discarded footage from the film provides the bulk of this extras package. Among six deleted scenes Andy (Carell) is arrested for drunk driving, gets high on marijuana and sings a fabulous rendition of The First Time from Zorba the musical. Meanwhile Rogen and Apatow give optional commentary, which includes the shocking revelation that actor Romany Malco (Jay) lost his virginity at six-years-old! "Romany claims it was not molestation," says Apatow, "It was real six-year-old sex!"
Loose Lips
Improvisation obviously played a big part in the making of the film with dozens of alternate takes and one-liners crammed into six hilarious reels of footage. Sadly, most of what’s said here can’t be repeated due to Â鶹ԼÅÄ guidelines on taste and decency and - during one of Andy’s excised fantasies - even Apatow admits, "This made me uncomfortable..." Elsewhere there’s a 10-minute warning on what not to say whilst speed dating and an Easter egg hidden by Andy’s "man-o-lantern" chest features an awkward conversation between Andy and Cal (Rogen) on, um "whacking it".
Finally, a gag reel betrays Carell’s cool exterior as his fellow actors dispense wildly inappropriate sex advice. Although there’s precious little information on the making of the film, all this extra footage guarantees hours of fun for those lonely nights...
EXTRA FEATURES
