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Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Play trailer Poster for Forgetting Sarah Marshall R Released Apr 18, 2008 1h 52m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 184 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). After she unceremoniously dumps him, he feels lost and alone but makes a last-ditch bid to get over it by going to Hawaii. However, she and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are there in the same hotel.
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Forgetting Sarah Marshall

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Critics Consensus

With ample laughs and sharp performances, Forgetting Sarah Marshall finds just the right mix of romantic and raunchy comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Anna Smith BBC.com Russell Brand is, for once, well cast in the role of vague, vain singer Aldous, who's also the object of obsession for a waiter and aspiring musician in the Hawaiian resort. Rated: 4/5 Jan 24, 2020 Full Review Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Judd Apatow's comedies are always watchable and sometimes hilarious, but with the latest to emerge under his aegis, I have to admit it is getting harder to defend them against the charge of misogyny. Rated: 2/5 Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Perfectly light and quite often wildly funny, this is a sincere comedy about growing up and becoming an individual without relying on a crutch for support. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 6, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand This is one of the better Apatow factory films that uses juvenile humor to explore adult issues like sex and commitment and relationships. Comedy is pain plus punchlines, and Peter’s emotional pain of breakup and heartbreak is very funny at times ... Dec 3, 2022 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies ...Forgetting Sarah Marshall has just the right mix between romance and raunchiness. Rated: 4/5 Apr 18, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Al R Simply the best, absolutely hysterical. And so re-watchable, gets better every time. My only wish is that there was a real Dracula musical! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/15/24 Full Review Nick S Am absolute classic! One of the movies that makes me laugh even though I'm not a huge fan of comedies. I just rewatched it again at a right time to put some things in perspective and move on from an unhealthy relationship. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/12/24 Full Review Neeraj K sweet movie. not your usual rom-com dialogues . feels kind of funny and genuine Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Matthew D Outrageously funny with insane characters for a rom-com that constantly surprises! Director Nicholas Stoller’s romantic-comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) is hysterical with really oddball characters and genuine romantic feelings. Stoller’s direction is amusing as we follow a loser television composer, who has just been broken up with after his girlfriend cheats on him, then takes a vacation to Hawaii only to discover she’s there too with her new sleazy boyfriend. It’s a riot and full of awesome supporting characters that keep up a quick pace as every person is crazier than the last. Casting directors Nicole Abellera Hallman and Jeanne McCarthy cast a ton of funny comedians to round out Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s wonderful cast. Writer Jason Segel came up with an amusing premise, but really shines with his tender romantic sentiments and sincere dramatic feelings. His script tears apart the guy that feels double-crossed as his romantic hero is a total bum. The girl feels guilt, but also feels like a complex figure. I found Segel’s writing very multi-faceted. He makes the guy sympathetic, but also a loser slob, who deserved to be alone. The girl is a cheater, but only after trying to improve her awful boyfriend and finally having enough. Having the guy mature and pairing him up with a nice and playful girl, who brings out the best in him is a nice touch. All of his pop culture references, entertainment industry satire, and bizarre comedic bits are great. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is really funny, often sweet, and continually scandalous. Jason Segel is excellent as the endearing everyman Peter Bretter. He’s totally pathetic and embarasses himself to be likable and feel like a regular loser. Segel rolls with the punches and brings a lot of warmth, quirky humor, and charm. His singing is pretty good and I really enjoyed his Dracula puppet musical. Kristen Bell is a hot, blonde actress called Sarah Marshall. Bell is effortlessly funny and tenderly sympathetic as the pretty television actress Sarah Marshall. She portrays Sarah as an egotistical actress in her own world, a considerate partner, a cheating jerk, a guilty girl, and a girl frustrated with a man who will not change. Russell Brand is aptly cast as the total creep cheater, who thinks he’s a rockstar that’s great in bed. Brand’s pretentious rocker Aldous Snow is quite funny as a clueless idiot, whose brain is permanently on vacation. Jonah Hill is great as Aldous’ awkward fan Matthew Van Der Wyk, who is an attentive waiter at Turtle Bay. Every time he shows up, Hill gets funnier. Mila Kunis is insanely gorgeous, hilarious, charismatic, playful, bubbly, sensitive, and captivating as Rachel Jansen. Her desk clerk in a Hawaiian resort in Turtle Bay is lowkey hilarious and naturally sexy. She feels dreamy and lovable, but plays up how crazy Rachel can be for laughs. Kunis finds a way to be upbeat and bring out Segel’s personality, while making you care for Rachel as a person. You want her to be happy by the end. Bill Hader is nuts as Segel’s best friend Brian Bretter, who tries to be a buddy in the only way he knows how. Jack McBrayer’s sexually inept newlywed Darald Braden is a riot. Maria Thayer is outrageous as the sexually lustful redhead newlywed Wyoma. Liz Cackowski is amusing as Brian’s diligent wife Liz, who keeps giving Segel advice. Da’Vone McDonald’s amiable bartender Dwayne is as funny as Teila Tuli’s chill cook Kimo. Paul Rudd’s groovy surfer Chuck is a fantastic supporting character. He’s somehow even dumber than the other outrageous people at this scenic resort. Jason Bateman’s Animal Instincts Detective and Billy Baldwin’s Detective Hunter Rush are a great parody of all those daytime cop shows. Branscombe Richmond’s bartender Keoki is crazy too. Editor William Kerr’s sharp editing cuts quickly to surprise jokes and cameos for an amusing startle. Cinematographer Russ T. Alsobrook’s captivating medium shots really let Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell shine as enthralling actresses. Curtis Bradford’s vivid lighting and production designer Jackson De Govia’s lovely sets are nice. Art directors Bill Matthews and Scott Meehan focus on crashing Hawaii waters, calm hotel rooms, and open spaces for these cozy Hawaii locales. Set decorators K.C. Fox, Alicia Maccarone, Phil Dagort, and Cynthia C. Rebman makes you want to live there. Composer Lyle Workman’s upbeat music is very delightful. Costume designer Leesa Evans gives Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell the prettiest bikinis, dresses, and blouses. Makeup artists Tracey Levy and Desne J. Holland’s striking looks work wonders for the ladies. Hairstylists Linda Arnold and Vickie Mynes give Kunis and Bell flowing tresses worthy of a Hawaiian vacation. In conclusion, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a huge surprise full of wonderfully strange characters and shocking jokes. It’s a brisk 111 minutes of fun and heartfelt romance. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/17/24 Full Review Ed R One of the best movies I’ve watched. Humor for days! Non-typical format but that’s what makes it great! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/15/24 Full Review Frederick T Good movie - with clever humor by Jason Segel, it has attention to detail and Jonah Hill is just fantastisk I absolutely love that man in almost everything. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Forgetting Sarah Marshall

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Cast & Crew

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - When Life Gives You Lemons Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - When Life Gives You Lemons 0:56 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Newlywed Sex Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Newlywed Sex 1:10 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - The Less You Do, the More You Do Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - The Less You Do, the More You Do 0:56 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Ruining Sarah's Day Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Ruining Sarah's Day 1:48 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Matthew Hates Aldous Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Matthew Hates Aldous 2:40 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Matthew's Demo Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Matthew's Demo 2:13 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Yoga Class Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Yoga Class 2:59 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Peter Cries Hysterically Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Peter Cries Hysterically 1:29 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - A Little Holiday With Hitler Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - A Little Holiday With Hitler 1:52 Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Peter Meets Aldous Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Official Clip - Peter Meets Aldous 2:06 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). After she unceremoniously dumps him, he feels lost and alone but makes a last-ditch bid to get over it by going to Hawaii. However, she and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are there in the same hotel.
Director
Nicholas Stoller
Producer
Judd Apatow, Shauna Robertson
Screenwriter
Jason Segel
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Apatow Productions
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Language|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 18, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$62.9M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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