This Is 40 writer-director Judd Apatow's semi-sequel to 2007's Knocked Up centers on Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd), a couple struggling with their marriage. He's a record exec trying to resuscitate the career of aging singer-songwriter Graham Parker, and she's an entrepreneur hoping her boutique store will turn into a moneymaker. But they're not making ends meet, and it doesn't help that Pete keeps loaning money to his deadbeat dad (Albert Brooks) and Debbie's drop-dead gorgeous employee (Megan Fox) appears to be stealing from her. Apatow's script is quite funny (he even gives his two kids, whom he cast as Debbie and Pete's children, some terrific one-liners). But the comedy grinds to a halt in the second half as Debbie and Pete's marriage appears to be on the brink of falling apart and the serious tone overwhelms the humor. — Jeff Niesel
