Quartile rating: 7/10 · 2 ratings
Andy Stitzer has a pleasant life with a nice apartment and a job stamping invoices at an electronics store. But at age 40, there's one thing Andy hasn't done, and it's really bothering his sex-obsessed male co-workers: Andy is still a virgin. Determined to help Andy get laid, the guys make it their mission to de-virginize him. But it all seems hopeless until Andy meets small business owner Trish, a single mom.
The 40 Year Old Virgin is a landmark of mid-2000s comedy, anchored by Steve Carell's genuinely warm and funny performance and strong ensemble chemistry. The plot is familiar romantic-comedy territory but elevated by sharp, improvised dialogue and character specificity. Cinematography is serviceable but unremarkable for the genre. The ending, while heartfelt, leans into formulaic rom-com resolution with the musical number feeling more quirky than earned. Novelty gets credit for its surprisingly sympathetic portrayal of its protagonist and the way it balances raunchy humor with genuine sweetness, which was distinctive at the time.