This Is 40 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two privileged people complain about turning 40 while also having a record label, a clothing boutique, and the freedom to drive around Los Angeles in BMWs.

🍿 This Is 40: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Facing Forty: Introduction to Pete and Debbie

Pete and Debbie are approaching their 40th birthdays, a milestone that brings about anxieties and challenges. Debbie, in denial about her age, runs a boutique clothing store while Pete manages a struggling record label. Their family life is complicated by two daughters, Sadie and Charlotte, who frequently clash, adding stress to an already tense household.

Financial Strain and Family Dynamics

The couple faces financial difficulties stemming from Pete’s struggling business and Debbie’s suspicions of theft at her store. These economic pressures are compounded by Pete’s generosity towards his father, Larry, who constantly asks for money. Debbie also grapples with a strained relationship with her own father, Oliver, leading to emotional turmoil.

Revelations and Relationship Challenges

Debbie discovers she is pregnant but keeps it a secret from Pete, further complicating their already fragile relationship. The couple’s attempts to address their issues lead to humorous and sometimes absurd situations, including a disastrous romantic getaway and confrontations with other parents at their daughters’ school.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pete (Paul Rudd): The struggling record label owner facing a mid-life crisis as he turns 40 and grapples with financial troubles and family issues.
• Debbie (Leslie Mann): Pete’s wife and owner of a boutique, who is in denial about turning 40 and struggling with her marriage and family dynamics.
• Sadie (Maude Apatow): Pete and Debbie’s teenage daughter who deals with typical adolescent challenges and contributes to family tensions.
• Charlotte (Iris Apatow): Pete and Debbie’s younger daughter who adds a comedic element to the family dynamic with her witty observations.
• Larry (Albert Brooks): Pete’s father, a financially irresponsible moocher who relies on his son for support and creates conflict in Pete’s life.
• Desi (Megan Fox): A beautiful employee at Debbie’s boutique, who is suspected of stealing money and adds to Debbie’s anxieties and insecurities.
• Oliver (John Lithgow): Debbie’s emotionally distant father who has a strained relationship with her, contributing to her emotional struggles as she confronts turning 40.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Debbie: “I just want to enjoy my life while I still can.” – Expresses her fear of aging and desire to recapture her youth, driving much of her behavior in the film.
• Pete: “Why can’t you admit you’re 40?” – Highlights the central conflict of Debbie’s denial and the strain it puts on their relationship.
• Debbie: “Are you having an affair with your iPad?” – Points to the modern distractions and disconnection that can plague long-term relationships.
• Catherine: “You wanna fight, let’s go!” – Catherine aggressively confront Debbie and Pete after the incident with their daughters, leading to a hilariously awkward meeting with the principal.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $67,544,505
• Worldwide Gross: $88,215,156

💥 This Is 40 Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this film and immediately feeling like I was in on an inside joke about marriage. The arguments were so real, so specific, and so painfully funny. I think I gasped audibly when Debbie inspected the toilet and said, ‘Are you crapping on paper to avoid me?’ That level of brutal honesty is something I appreciate. I also loved all the music references, especially the Graham Parker storyline. It felt like a love letter to a certain kind of slightly-past-their-prime rock star. And those girls! Those Apatow girls are just genius.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Judd Apatow comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in films about marriage and mid-life crises”
  • “Audiences who appreciate realistic and relatable family dynamics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suggestive scenes”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Apatow’s navel-gazing can be grating, but Rudd and Mann are effortlessly watchable, making the film a funny and relatable look at the challenges of marriage and middle age.
• The New York Times: “While often funny and insightful, ‘This Is 40’ suffers from its length and a lack of focus, ultimately feeling more like a series of loosely connected vignettes than a cohesive narrative.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Thanks to the natural chemistry of Mann and Rudd, This Is 40 manages to be both hilarious and deeply personal, even if it occasionally veers into self-indulgence.

Audience Reactions

The raw and relatable portrayal of marital struggles really hit home.: Many viewers praised the film’s honesty and humor in depicting the challenges of marriage and parenting.

The comedic timing and chemistry between Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann were excellent.: Most found the performances of the lead actors to be a major highlight, enhancing the film’s overall appeal.

Overall Consensus: Mixed to positive reviews, praising the performances and relatable humor, but criticizing its length and lack of focus.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many scenes were improvised, allowing the actors to bring their own experiences and humor to the characters, enhancing the film’s natural and relatable feel.”
• “Judd Apatow cast his own daughters, Maude and Iris Apatow, as the children in the film, adding a layer of authenticity to the family dynamic.”
• “The film features several musicians playing themselves, including Graham Parker and Ryan Adams, lending credibility to Pete’s struggling record label.”

🖥️ How to Watch This Is 40?

This Is 40 is available to rent or buy on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. For physical media collectors, Blu-ray and DVD versions can often be found at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed This Is 40, you might like these similar films:

• Knocked Up (2007): Features Pete and Debbie as supporting characters and explores similar themes of relationships and parenthood.
• The Kids Are All Right (2010): Deals with the complexities of modern family life, relationships, and the challenges of parenting as individuals approach middle age.
• Enough Said (2013): Explores the anxieties and humor of middle age relationships as the characters grapple with their evolving identities and romantic futures.
• Funny People (2009): Directed by Judd Apatow and touches on themes of aging, mortality, and finding meaning in life amidst professional success.

🛒 This Is 40 Related Products

• This is 40 (Blu-ray): The Blu-ray edition features the extended cut with additional scenes and behind-the-scenes content, perfect for fans who want more of the Apatow family dynamic.
• Graham Parker – Three Chords Good: The Graham Parker Anthology: A comprehensive collection of Graham Parker’s music, featuring hits and rarities, giving listeners a chance to appreciate the artist featured in the movie.
• LEGO Ideas Fender Stratocaster 21329 Building Kit: Celebrate iconic music with this LEGO Fender Stratocaster model, perfect for music enthusiasts and collectors, allowing them to build and display a piece of rock history.
• Vintage Rock Band Concert Poster: Decorate your space with this poster featuring classic rock bands, a reminder of the music era Pete champions in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

This Is 40 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Wanna Get Next to You” – performed by Rose Royce
• “Days That Used to Be” – performed by Graham Parker & The Rumour
• “Always See Your Face” – performed by Love

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog Visits the Set of ‘This is 40’

Prepare to laugh out loud as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog gets up close and personal with the cast and crew of ‘This is 40’ in this hilarious behind-the-scenes interview.

This is 40: blooper with Melissa McCarthy

Get ready for a side-splitting blooper featuring the incomparable Melissa McCarthy! This outtake from ‘This is 40’ is sure to bring a smile to your face.

The Principal’s Office (Melissa McCarthy Improvised Scene) | This Is 40 (2012) | Big Screen Laughs

Brace yourself for a comedic masterpiece! This improvised scene from ‘This is 40’ features Melissa McCarthy at her best, delivering a hilarious and unforgettable performance.

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