Knocked Up (2007)

Judd Apatow never met a scene he wanted to trim, and Knocked Up runs 129 minutes to prove it. A big chunk of that is Ben’s roommates riffing, and the riffs go long. The setup is simple: a one-night stand leads to a pregnancy, and two people with nothing in common try to become a team. The honest problem is that Alison gets written as the strict, stressed one while Ben gets to be the lovable mess, so you’ll wonder what she sees in him. Still, Seth Rogen is more charming than this guy has any right to be, and Katherine Heigl plays it smarter than the script gives her credit for. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann steal the whole thing as a married couple who argue like it’s a competitive sport. The nightclub bouncer scene is a small masterpiece. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. A 6.8 because it’s sweet and funny underneath, and nobody ever said cut. $457 says you see a baby on board sign this week and wonder how ready that driver really was.

What works: Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann are hilarious as the married couple, Seth Rogen is likable, and the movie has a real sweet streak under the jokes.

What doesn’t: At 129 minutes it rambles, and Alison is written as the stern grown-up so Ben can be the fun one, which tilts the whole story.

Who it’s for: Grown-ups who like long, chatty comedies, plus whoever is the last one in their friend group to get their life together.