Review: Carrel Hilarious As 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'

'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' (R) (out of four)

It doesn't take long for the audience to realize that the extremely outrageous comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" will wholeheartedly earn its R rating.

The film begins with Andy Stitzer (played by Steve Carrel of "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy") waking up and sleepily walking to the bathroom in pajamas. One part of his anatomy however is very much awake and at attention.

Clearly, the cry here is, "Let the sex games begin!" Well, hopefully at least for poor, frustrated Andy.

At age 40, he can pretty much be summed up as a nerd. He has few friends and lives alone in an apartment filled with action figures from old television shows and movies. He doesn't drive and, instead, pedals his mirror-equipped bicycle (thoughtfully giving hand signals along the way) to a boring job at a local electronics store.

He politely listens while his co-workers brag about their wild weekends, with his only meager contribution to the conversation being an excruciatingly detailed tale of how he longed for, and then made, an egg-salad sandwich.

The film is the brainchild of Carrel, who created the character back when he was a member of the Second City comedy troupe. The idea for a movie got on the fast-track while he was shooting "Anchorman," when he teamed up with that movie's producer -- Judd Apatow -- who was looking for a movie to co-write and direct.

Here's Andy's story: He's been frightened by early romantic experiences with girls, leaving him too scared to attempt a relationship. When his co-workers at the electronics store (Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen and Romany Malco) find out about his sexual status, they embark on a mission to get Andy "in the saddle."

From nightclub trips to a speed-dating party called "Date-A-Palooza," the movie is full of hilarious scenes. But fear not -- the film is much more than an exercise in over-the-top, gross-out humor.

There are subtle touches as well, as when Andy talks to a friend on the phone. Not everyone in the audience will catch that the book he's reading is titled "An Idiot's Guide to Tantric Sex."

There is also a nice love story here, in the form of a divorced store owner played by Catherine Keener ("Being John Malkovich"). Their decision to wait before they "do it" gives the film some ... dare I say it ... some really touching moments.

True, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" is raunchy and is filled with profanities and sex jokes, but it's highly entertaining. If you liked "American Pie," I believe you've found a worthy follow-up.