I start with a movie that is very close to me. The protagonist shares my name (Peter), my ambition (writing musicals), and quite a few of my personality traits (obsessive with an off-and-on ambitious streak and a tendency to be in the wrong place at the wrong time).
It's probably no surprise that I don't like this character who is played by Jason Segal, and it's not just because the songs he performs aren't really that good (2 chorders that sound like Candle in the Wind) and that I'm jealous of the music studio he has in his home that I will never be able to afford. He's oblivious to people that care about him, self-absorbed, and only superficially interested in companionship unless it's with a girl that really digs him. (Hey, I didn't say I shared ALL of his personality traits). Despite this, he somehow has an actress/model ex-girlfriend who stayed with him apparently for a long time before realizing that he wasn't the one who was going to take her places and do things.
SPOILER ALERT: THE GUY GETS THE GIRL IN THE END
The story revolves around him following Sarah and her new boyfriend.....a big time rocker (played by Russell Brand) and "awkwardly" or rather "purposely" running into them several times, while lamenting that he can't be with her again.
Already we have a virtuous stalker. If it were a girl or even either a jock or geeky guy, it would be a creepy annoyance, but because he's played by a harmless Jason Segall and is writing a Dracula puppet show musical, he's a sweet soul just trying to find closure. And gentlemen, if you are this sweet harmless soul tagging along with your ex-girlfriend's crew AKA a stalker, you can even win the sympathy of and score with the cutie at the tourism booth (played by Mila Kunis).
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| I vant to suck my ex-girlfriend's dignity |
The good news is that he has to leave Hawaii all alone, having secured neither of the two girls for the ride back. But, the sadness he feels at ruining things leads him to bang on the piano singing about how terrible his songs are (just like me Peter Moody) which leads him to actually finish the Dracula puppet musical, which unfortunately ends up being a lot more awesome than the initial disappointing songs he writes would otherwise suggest. And guess which of the girls somehow hears about the musical and is at its opening to check him out?
Overall, a decent love film for songwriting dreamer nerds like me (although nowhere near as good as Music and Lyrics). Still the film has a number of social messaging issues. Peter only finds his happiness after he scores with the new girl, and that scoring is only possible after a night of drinking several bottles of wine with the new and old girl subtly fighting over him with their words. And only when Sarah Marshall is in the vulnerable position he was once in (by begging him back) can he finally be over her. In other words, even if you're the harmless, awkward, over-emotional type of guy, you can still be the trophy asshole.
Final Verdict: Cross between UGLY and WILD-CARD
Most awkward part of having no-kissing scenes: Characters end up in bed together quicker than expected.
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