Can a film about the midlife crisis actually capture the reality of turning forty?
In short: Judd Apatow’s 2012 comedy-drama explores the domestic friction of a married couple facing their fortieth birthdays. While critics remained divided over its sprawling runtime and aimless structure, the film offers a raw, often uncomfortable look at the financial and emotional pressures that define the transition into middle age.
Released in December 2012, This Is 40 serves as a loose sequel to Apatow’s 2007 hit Knocked Up. The narrative follows Pete and Debbie, played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, as they navigate the stresses of raising two daughters, managing struggling businesses, and dealing with aging parents. The film does not shy away from the darker, more mundane aspects of long-term partnership, including financial strain, petty resentments, and the existential weight of aging.
Critical reception was notably mixed. Many reviewers praised the performances and the sharp, observational humor, with some critics like Richard Brody finding the film’s meandering pace to be a realistic reflection of life itself. Conversely, detractors such as Robbie Collin and Richard Roeper criticized the 133-minute runtime, arguing that the film lacked focus and relied too heavily on sitcom-style tropes rather than a cohesive narrative arc. Despite these critiques, the film grossed over $88 million worldwide, proving that the subject matter resonated with a broad audience.
Beyond the screen, the project remains a point of interest for its creator. Apatow has long discussed the possibility of a follow-up, with reports in March 2022 confirming he is in early development for a third installment titled This Is 50. This potential sequel would continue the tradition of checking in on the characters a decade later, further exploring the evolution of a family in flux.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: This Is 40
- Also: Wikidata — This Is 40 · CC0
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