"FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL"
(2008) (Jason Segel, Kristen Bell) (R)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Extreme	Moderate	Heavy	Minor	Minor
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	None	Heavy	Extreme
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Extreme	None	None	Heavy	*Mild

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QUICK TAKE:

Comedy: After his actress girlfriend dumps him, a sensitive man goes to Hawaii to regroup, only to run into his ex and her new boyfriend.

PLOT:

Peter Bretter (JASON SEGEL) is a composer for the TV cop show, "Crime Scene" and has been dating its star, Sarah Marshall (KRISTEN BELL), for the past six years, although he's always resided in the background of their very public relationship. Even so, he's shocked when she suddenly dumps him, and he goes into a funk that even a series of casual sexual encounters can't undo. Accordingly, his married brother, Brian (BILL HADER), suggests that he should take a trip far away to get away from it all. Initially reluctant, Peter does just that, heading to Oahu for some rest and relaxation.

That's short-lived, however, when he runs into Sarah and her new boyfriend, flamboyant British rocker Aldous Snow (RUSSELL BRAND) who are staying at the same hotel that Peter is trying to check into. Sensing his pain, hotel clerk Rachel Jansen (MILA KUNIS) sets him up, gratis, in their best suite. Soon she and other hotel employees, such as waiter Matthew (JONAH HILL) -- who's a huge fan of Aldous -- and surf instructor Chuck (PAUL RUDD) are giving him advice or just supporting him through his tough times, which are exacerbated when he sees newlyweds Darald (JACK McBRAYER) and Wyoma (MARISA THAYER).

From that point on, and as he must deal with repeated run-ins with Sarah and Aldous, Peter tries to get over their breakup, all while finding himself falling for Rachel.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

If they're interested in raunchy, R-rated comedies, and/or are fans of anyone in the cast, they just might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R

For sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

JASON SEGEL plays a sensitive composer for a TV show who's shocked when his more famous girlfriend suddenly dumps him. Instantly depressed, he tries remedying that by a string of casual sex affairs, but that does no good, so he sets off for Hawaii to get away from it all, only to run into his ex and her new boyfriend. He uses strong profanity, drinks a lot, wallows in self-pity, and finds himself attracted to Rachel (with whom he eventually has sex, although he then briefly cheats on her with Sarah).

KRISTEN BELL plays his ex-girlfriend, a TV actress who's just dumped him (after cheating on him with Aldous) and thus is surprised to see him at the same Hawaiian resort where she's staying. She drinks some, uses strong profanity, and has sex with Aldous, but starts to think she made the wrong decision in picking him over Peter.

MILA KUNIS plays a hotel employee who takes pity on and befriends Peter, and ends up falling for him. She drinks some, has sex with him, and briefly lets out a tirade of obscenities toward her ex-boyfriend.

RUSSELL BRAND plays Sarah's new boyfriend, a laidback but flamboyant British rocker who's egocentric, but charming enough that even Peter comes around to somewhat liking him. A noted lothario, he has sex with Sarah, and uses profanity.

JONAH HILL plays a hotel employee who befriends Peter but is a fanatical admirer of Aldous and thus does what he can to serve and impress the rocker.

PAUL RUDD plays another hotel employee, the surfing instructor who often seems or just wants to get high. He uses strong profanity.

JACK McBRAYER plays a rather reserved newlywed who vents his frustrations regarding sex with his new wife. He drinks some.

MARISA THAYER plays his new bride who shocks him by her randy behavior regarding their sexual relationship.

BILL HADER plays Peter's brother who tries to help him get over Sarah. He briefly drinks.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated comedy. Profanity consists of at least 33 "f' words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue (much of it explicit) is present, as are various sexual encounters (with nudity, movement and related sounds, while one includes just off-screen female to male oral sex).

Sexually related humor is present, full male nudity is seen on several occasions, women are seen in varying forms of revealing attire, and a wall of photos shows bare-breasted women. Most of the above is played for comedy rather than eroticism.

Violence consists of some brief fighting, while a man is injured while surfing (with some bloody results). Some behavior might be enticing for some kids to try to imitate. Comedy-based bad attitudes are present, as are some drug-related comments, while various characters drink in many scenes, sometimes to the point of intoxication.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, there's some of that from a Hawaiian performer spinning flaming torches.

For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's some bouncy camera movement as Peter and Chuck go out into the water on surfboards.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

We see a beer bottle by Peter.

Peter and Brian have drinks in a club where others also drink. We later see them having drinks with two women in the same place.

We see a flashback to Peter drinking wine by himself while watching TV.

Peter has a drink.

While working in the restaurant, Matthew sarcastically tells someone on the phone that he'd love to sell them some weed, but is working at the moment.

After Peter states he needs a drink, Aldous admits that he's been clean and sober (no drugs, no booze) for seven years.

Peter sarcastically tells Sarah that it sounds as if Aldous shared a lot of needles with others, so he thanks her for dating Aldous after him.

There's a montage showing Peter drinking and then being intoxicated.

Peter has a drink by him and appears intoxicated while playing the piano.

A waiter brings Peter pineapple juice and a small bottle of rum (in the morning) after Peter orders that.

Peter carries a drink.

About Peter looking forlorn, Chuck says there's only one cure for that: "weed." He asks Peter if he has any, Peter says no, and Chuck then says they should go surfing.

Peter has a drink.

Peter has a drink with his meal.

A local who's holding a beer on the beach hands one to Peter.

Peter and others drink on the beach at night.

Peter and Rachel have drinks in a bar where others also drink.

Chuck, Darald and others have drinks.

Matthew brings champagne over for Aldous and Sarah, but they don't have any.

Sarah has a drink.

Rachel, Sarah and Peter have wine, and we then see a montage of them having more, finishing many bottles.

We see an airline promo piece showing Sarah holding a drink in a Hawaiian setting.

BLOOD/GORE

We see clips from Sarah's TV cop series, showing a scalpel cutting into some flesh (with brief bloody results).

Peter stands at a urinal (as does another man at another one) in a bathroom.

While surfing, Peter accidentally runs over Aldous, leaving him knocked out under the water. Peter rescues and brings him to the shore, but we then see that Aldous has a piece of coral stuck in his leg. He urges Peter to pull it out. Peter reluctantly does, and we see a decent-sized hole from which blood then pours out, causing Peter to pass out from the sight (this is played for comedy).

As Peter throws rolls of toilet paper at a man who's just punched him, that man refers to the rolls as "doodoo paper."

Peter has a bruised and swollen face after that man punches him twice.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

In a music video, Aldous does some comedy-based humping of a nun from behind her (both are clothed) - some viewers might not like that humor.

Sarah cheats on Peter and then breaks up with him.

Surprised to see Peter in Hawaii, Sarah asks what he's doing there, with him jokingly replying that he's there to murder her.

In a comedy bit that some viewers might not find funny, Peter hesitantly but then repeatedly stabs a knife at a wild pig (to kill it for a pig roast -- we don't see the actual impact).

Rachel turns into a different person (aggressive anger) upon seeing her ex-boyfriend, and she yells various strong obscenities at him.

Rachel's ex-boyfriend punches Peter to the ground. He then slaps a large hotel worker who then punches him and then gains control of him and his friend.

After her show is canceled, Aldous informs Sarah that she won't be working (but instead will be raising babies when not touring with him).

Aldous admits to Sarah that he hasn't told her that he has genital herpes, but adds that it's not inflamed at the moment.

Some viewers might not like it when Darald (on top of Wyoma in bed) tells her, "You've got Christ between your thighs" (in response to Aldous earlier telling him that it's good to have God in the bedroom).

Aldous implies that he slept with Sarah a year before she broke up with Peter.

Aldous tells others to "lose yourself in f*ck," with Sarah saying that what he means he's going to "stick it wherever he wants" (referring to his penis). She then asks if he has the right to "f*ck" anyone when he pleases, and he replies that he does.

When Matthew asks Aldous if he listened to the music demo Matthew earlier gave him (unsolicited), Aldous says he was going to, but then went on living his life (played for comedy).

Peter cheats on Rachel by kissing Sarah and then allowing her to perform brief oral sex on him.

A male hotel employee tries to convince Rachel that what Peter did (allowing Sarah to perform oral sex on him) wasn't that bad, saying she only licked the tip, and asks Rachel if she knows how hard it is for a guy to stop in the middle of a "blow job."

FRIGHTENING SCENES

Scenes listed under "Violence" may be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material, but probably few, if any others.

Rachel jumps off a high cliff into the sea below. Peter is reluctant, and then ends up slipping, barely holding onto vegetation on the side of the cliff. Rachel then tells him to kick off from the side and he does, barely landing in water deep enough to catch him (this is mostly played for comedy).

GUNS/WEAPONS

We see clips from Sarah's TV cop series, showing her shooting a gun.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "I wish I wasn't wearing this f*cking shirt," "I f*cking hate it," "When life give you lemons, just say f*ck the lemons and bail," "F*cking m*therf*cker," "F*ck, you're cool," "What the f*ck?" "Oh, f*ck my ass" (not meant sexually), "I'm f*cking with you," "Shut the f*ck up," "I f*cked things up," "F*cking terrible," "F*cked my sh*t up," "You gotta get your sh*t together," "You piece of sh*t," "Oh sh*t," "Dip-sh*t," "Let's/please cut the bullsh*t," "Cutting the bullsh*t," "It makes you full of sh*t," "It's a good-looking d*ck," "D*ck-sicle," "Groupie whore," "The masturbatory dog killer," "I can see your vagina from here" (jokingly said by a woman about a man scared to do something), "You've got Christ between your thighs," "My c*ck doesn't want to be around you anymore," "Like a little bitch," "Kind of messed up," "You're (acting like) an idiot," "Sucks," "Yeah, bitch," "Aloha, bitches," "It's like 'The Sopranos,' it's over," "Dude," "What an asshole," "Nuts" (crazy), "Bastards," "Queen of the sorrow suckers," "I'm freaked out," "I'm screwed," "Pain in the ass," "What the hell?" "Oh, bloody hell," "Shut up," "You seem spritely," "You're the G*ddamn devil," "Doodoo paper" (toilet paper) and "You suck."

We see Peter flexing his chest muscles in a mirror, shirtless.

Aldous sports various tattoos.

In a music video, Aldous does some pelvic thrusting in his tight pants.

Chuck has some tattoos.

Peter talks to Brian and his wife Liz over a computer camera connection. When Liz looks at the wrong place (with her head too close to the camera, thus blocking a view of Brian), Peter tells her to move her head to one spot and then another, eventually getting her head moving up and down so that the visual joke makes it appear as if she's performing oral sex on Brian (who's behind her and seated).

Rachel jumps off a high cliff into the sea below.

In the adjacent room, Sarah hears Rachel and Peter's sexual sounds. Not to be outdone, she wakes up Aldous and tells him to make love to her. We then see her having sex on top of him, making loud, exaggerated sounds to be heard next door. Peter and Rachel (in the missionary position) do hear that, and thus increase their sexual sounds (including with Peter loudly saying, "Oh, I'm not done yet").

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

Invited to sing in front of a crowd, Aldous sings a love song of sorts to Sarah, with heavy bits of innuendo, most of them about "when you let me inside you" or "while I'm inside you." The main song is then heard during the end credits.

Other lyrics couldn't be fully heard or understood, thus presenting the possibility of them potentially containing objectionable material.

Peter sings lyrics of his own pitiful song, including "You suck" and "F*cking terrible."

PROFANITY

At least 33 "f" words (14 used sexually, 2 used with "mother"), 19 "s" words, 6 slang terms using male genitals ("c*ck," "d*ck" and "pr*ck"), 1 using female ones ("cooter"), 8 asses (5 used with "hole"), 3 hells, 1 crap, 11 uses of "Oh my God," 5 of "Oh God," 2 of "G-damn" and 1 use each of "God" and "Jesus."

SEX/NUDITY

We see Peter flexing his chest muscles in a mirror, shirtless.

We see a calendar that shows a cartoon drawing of a woman bent over a man's knee and he's spanking her bare butt.

In a music video, Aldous does some pelvic thrusting in his tight pants, a sign reads "sodomize intolerance," and Aldous does some comedy-based humping of a nun from behind her (both are clothed). He is also noted as being a lothario.

Peter walks out in a towel and tells Sarah he has a surprise for her. He then drops his towel (she see's everything, we don't at this moment) and then playfully twists his body to make his penis flop back and forth (we only hear the sound of skin on skin contact). She, however, breaks up with him, so nothing sexual occurs, but we do see several views of him fully nude (full frontal and rear), including him bending over in anguish. He then sits on the sofa nude, we see yet another full frontal view, and he gets Sarah to hug him (standing, while he's still fully nude). All of that's played for comedy rather than eroticism.

Out at a club, Brian complains that he's going to get herpes just sitting on the couch there. Peter (shocked by Sarah just having dumped him), states maybe he just needs to "f*ck" somebody, with Brian saying that he (Peter) doesn't need to put his "P" in someone's "V" (followed by Peter replying with similar letter abbreviations of his own). About Sarah, Peter then complains that she's "f*cking" someone. Later, we see the two of them seated with two women, and Peter's somewhat intoxicated, telling one she's attractive and that sex with either of the women would be great. He adds that it would be nothing serious, just sexual. We next see Peter and this woman in bed, post-sex, and under the covers. He says he thought it went well, but then starts crying.

After the above one-night stand, Peter goes to visit a friend who's a doctor (albeit a pediatrician) and says that he had sex and used a condom, but is worried about an STD. Accordingly, he asks him if he'll look at his penis. The doc reluctantly agrees and takes a glance (we don't see anything), but when Peter says he barely looked, the doc replies, "It's a good looking d*ck." He then tells him to use his "d*ck" to "f*ck" everything that moves, and there's another sexual use of the "f" word.

Following that, we see a montage of Peter having sex with several women. The first shows missionary sex, with some movement and the woman's very subdued sexual sounds, with her then saying, "I just came." We then see him having sex on top of another woman who keeps saying "hi." He asks if she can stop that, with her replying that he can gag her if she wants, and that she has some handcuffs.

We see footage from Sarah's cop show where it's reported a severed penis was found behind an AC unit (we don't see it), and the male co-star's character jokingly comments on a "d*ck-sicle."

Yelling at Sarah's projected image on a studio screen, Peter asks, "You're f*cking (her costar's name), aren't you?"

After the rhetorical question "what has gotten into you" is asked, Darald somewhat dejectedly tells his new bride, "Not me, yet."

Rachel shows varying amounts of cleavage in various outfits.

We see Sarah in a bikini top, followed by Aldous who's shirtless and playfully smacks her on her butt.

We see a montage of Sarah and Aldous having energetic sex in three different positions, including vigorous rear entry, and her on top.

A TV clip from Sarah's show has the main characters talking about masturbation, and then again later about the "masturbatory dog killer" being on the loose again.

Sarah shows some cleavage.

Darald says he likes Sarah's cop TV show's way of mixing sex and violence.

Darald says his wife is like the Da Vinci code in that she's hard to crack (meaning they're having problems having sex for the first time). He then says he's off to find "the mythical clitoris."

We see a flashback to the newlyweds, with him on top and her saying she can't feel anything, followed by him stating it hurt him. He then says (in slight shock about what's occurring) that God put her mouth on her head for a reason, as she goes down under the covers, presumably to perform oral sex on him.

When Peter comments on possibly having casual sex again, Brian sarcastically comments on him going after another dirty, one-night stand.

Sarah shows some cleavage.

Invited to sing in front of a crowd, Aldous sings a love song of sorts to Sarah, with heavy bits of innuendo, most of them about "when you let me inside you" or "while I'm inside you." The main song is then heard during the end credits.

While in the men's room, Peter spots a wall covered with photos of bare-breasted women, including Rachel.

There's talk about Darald "giving it hard" (sexually) to his new bride, but Darald is frustrated and complains that they're trying, but "we're not f*cking" (and several more sexual uses of the "f" word are heard). He also talks about if God was a city planner he would not have put a playground (the vagina) next to a sewage system (the anus). Chuck then comments on liking Wyoma's hair, saying he wonders if it matches her "pubes."

Aldous admits to Sarah that he hasn't told her that he has genital herpes, but adds that it's not inflamed at the moment.

After her show is canceled, Sarah admits that she's "freaked out" since the only actresses who survive in the biz are those who show their "cooter."

Aldous talks to Darald about sex, with the latter saying he and his bride didn't have sex before getting married due to their religion. Aldous says that it's good to have God in the bedroom, and then gives him various pointers, such as telling him one should penetrate deeply and stimulate the clitoris, and that if the anus also gets involved, that's even better. We then see quick views of them simulating various sexual positions with huge, outdoor chess pieces, including mock thrusting.

Peter talks to Brian and his wife Liz over a computer camera connection. When Liz looks at the wrong place (with her head too close to the camera, thus blocking a view of Brian), Peter tells her to move her head to one spot and then another, eventually getting her head moving up and down so that the visual joke makes it appear as if she's performing oral sex on Brian (who's behind her and seated).

A male hotel employee wants Peter and Rachel to join him in watching sea turtles "f*ck," adding that they "f*ck" for three hours (they decline the offer).

We see Rachel in very small shorts as she walks along outdoors with Peter.

Rachel jumps off a high cliff into the sea below. Peter is reluctant, and Rachel jokingly yells up to him, "C'mon Peter, I can see your vagina from here."

Rachel passionately kisses Peter in the sea. We then see Peter in bed, and see the side of his bare hip, but Rachel is not there (the scene is cut to make us think she will be based on the earlier kissing). A male hotel worker is then standing there, asking Peter if those are sad tissues (as in crying) or happy ones (possibly meaning masturbation related).

We see Darald on top of Wyoma in bed, telling her, "You've got Christ between your thighs." We then see them having sex in various positions (missionary, her on top, etc. with movement, including his hands on her breasts, so we don't see the latter in full, although we see the side of her bare hip).

Rachel shows cleavage.

We see Aldous in a small bathing suit.

Aldous implies that he slept with Sarah a year before she broke up with Peter.

Peter confronts Sarah and asks about her and Aldous, "You two were f*cking each other for a whole G*ddamn year?"

We see a montage about Peter, including him scratching his own clothed crotch.

Sarah tells Peter that she didn't easily give up on their relationship, stating that she even took love seminars and sex seminars.

Sarah shows cleavage.

Aldous tells others to "lose yourself in f*ck," with Sarah saying that what he means he's going to "stick it wherever he wants" (referring to his penis). She then asks if he has the right to "f*ck" anyone when he pleases, and he replies that he does.

Rachel passionately kisses Peter and the two then go back to a room, where his shirt is open and she's on top (clothed), with him playfully slapping her butt. In the adjacent room, Sarah hears Rachel and Peter's sexual sounds. Not to be outdone, she wakes up Aldous and tells him to make love to her. We then see her having sex on top of him, making loud, exaggerated sounds to be heard next door. Peter and Rachel (in the missionary position) do hear that, and thus increase their sexual sounds (including with Peter loudly saying, "Oh, I'm not done yet"). Next door, Aldous is taken aback by Sarah's actions, and then complains about her exaggerating a fake orgasm.

As they let each other know how they truly feel about each other, Aldous tells Sarah that he "f*cked the housekeeper" the other day.

Aldous suggests Peter have a three-some with Rachel and Sarah, but Peter doesn't think he has the capacity for that, prompting Aldous to say it's a gift (implying he's done that).

Aldous points out his female driver to Peter and says he's going to have sex with her.

Peter goes to console Sarah after Aldous has left her. They end up kissing and she undoes his pants, telling him, "Get hard for me." He says he knows what he's supposed to do, but apparently is having a difficult time achieving an erection (we don't see that part of his body). She then asks if she should use her hand or mouth, with him asking for the latter, so she performs oral sex on him (the camera angle blocks our view of the direct contact, but there's no doubt what she's doing). She stops for a moment and asks if he wants more and he says yes, but it apparently does no good as he pulls away from her. He then says, "My c*ck doesn't want to be around you anymore." Later, Peter confesses to Rachel that this occurred, but says she only performed 10 to 15 seconds of oral sex on him (nevertheless, Rachel is upset and says she doesn't want to see him anymore).

A male hotel employee tries to convince Rachel that what Peter did (allowing Sarah to perform oral sex on him) wasn't that bad, saying she only licked the tip, and asks Rachel if she knows how hard it is for a guy to stop in the middle of a "blow job."

In a puppet-based musical, one puppet character states that she's pregnant.

Rachel walks into Peter's theater dressing room to find him fully nude (we see his full frontal nudity). He then has his hand over his crotch, but she then walks up and passionately kisses him, embracing him in his full nudity (both standing).

SMOKING

None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

None.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

Romantic relationships and dealing with being dumped.

Casual sex.

After Peter states he needs a drink, Aldous admits that he's been clean and sober (no drugs, no booze) for seven years.

Aldous admits to Sarah that he hasn't told her that he has genital herpes, but adds that it's not inflamed at the moment.

Sarah tells Peter that she didn't easily give up on their relationship, stating that she even took love seminars and sex seminars.

VIOLENCE

All of the following is played for comedy.

We see clips from Sarah's TV cop series, showing the male costar shoving a person to a wall.

Upset about her suspected affair, Peter takes a chair and repeatedly slashes a studio projection screen (showing Sarah's image), tearing it.

In a comedy bit that some viewers might not find funny, Peter hesitantly but then repeatedly stabs a knife at a wild pig (to kill it for a pig roast -- we don't see the actual impact).

Rachel's ex-boyfriend punches Peter to the ground. He then slaps a large hotel worker who then punches him and then gains control of him and his friend.

While surfing, Peter accidentally runs over Aldous, leaving him knocked out under the water. Peter rescues and brings him to the shore, but we then see that Aldous has a piece of coral stuck in his leg. He urges Peter to pull it out. Peter reluctantly does, and we see a decent-sized hole from which blood then pours out, causing Peter to pass out from the sight.

Upset that Peter removed a photo of Rachel topless from the bathroom, a bartender punches Peter to the floor. Peter throws toilet paper rolls at him, with the man punching him again (we later see Peter with a bruised and swollen face).

We see some puppet "violence" in a musical, including one character knocking another back to a wall, and then that one stabbing the other (a vampire) with a cross.

Reviewed March 13, 2008 / Posted April 18, 2008

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