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KNOCKED UP (R)

Plot Summary: When a beautiful and successful woman discovers that she is pregnant after a one-night stand.

Reason for the Rating: Sexual content, drug use and language.

The title pretty much says it all. If Knocked Up doesn’t exactly sound like the most reverent or appropriate title for a movie, that’s because this movie is in no way reverent or appropriate. If, however, it sounds a tiny bit funny, that’s because in spite of its complete inappropriateness, it can be pretty funny at times. And if you just can’t get past the fact that someone would actually name a movie Knocked Up, believe me, there’s far more crassness to this movie that would be hard for almost anyone to get past. As the title indicates, Knocked Up is not a nice movie.

The whole premise of the film is made possible through one drunken night. The talented and drop-dead gorgeous Alison (played by Katherine Heigl) receives a promotion at work and heads to a club with her sister to celebrate. There she meets Ben (played by Seth Rogen), an overweight, unkempt slacker who tries his best to charm her. No one in their right mind would ever consider making these two a pair, but they both have a few drinks and lose some of their judgment. Then they have a few more drinks and really lose their judgment. They end up back at Alison’s place, and although the movie doesn’t leave much up to the imagination, I will. Let’s just say they part company the next morning, and neither one of them imagines they will ever see the other one again.

They don’t imagine they will ever see each other again, that is, until Alison discovers she is pregnant. She decides to have the baby, Ben decides that he wants to be a good father, and they decide together to try to form a relationship. Of course, doing this is not nearly as easy as making the decision to do it, and Alison and Ben spend the whole movie figuring out just how difficult it really is.

After the soon-to-be parents’ choose to try to make things work, the plot moves along through the ups and downs of their crazy attempt to fuse their lives together. A set up like this paves the way for endless awkward and funny situations, and the movie delivers these in both expected and unexpected ways.

Probably one of the best comic elements can be found in the supporting cast. Alison is constantly receiving misguided advice from her sister, Debbie (hilariously portrayed by Leslie Mann), and being shown the ins and outs of dysfunctional marriages by Debbie and her husband (also hilariously portrayed, but this time by Paul Rudd). In the meantime, Ben has a whole crew of deadbeat friends who don’t actually offer much advice but manage to steal their scenes by virtue of their complete lack of actual substance. Add to that Alison’s colleagues at her job in entertainment television telling her not to lose weight but simply “tighten up” for the camera, and you’ve got an entire movie full of quirky and entertaining characters who make for a lot of laughs.

What the movie lacks, though, is any and all moral guidance. Well, maybe I’m being a bit harsh. It does actually have a message, and I actually found myself tearing up at times. At it’s very core, Knocked Up takes a realistic look at relationships and marriage and even has a little bit to say about how we should treat the ones we love. Because of this sentiment and the ongoing comedy, I enjoyed this film, but only because I left my conscience at the door. Actually, I think I left it at home. For a movie this inappropriate, even from the door my conscience would’ve been pretty bothered.

Despite the jokes and the tender moments, Knocked Up pushes the envelope more than any other comedy I can think of. Parents, and anyone even a little bit sensitive to crass and vulgar material, should be warned. There is much about this movie that is offensive. Nothing is sacred. Some would argue that because of this lack of reverence, true sentiment shines through, but if you’re not one to search for a diamond in the midst of a lot of extremely filthy rough, this movie is not for you. The profanity is rampant, as is the drug use and nudity. None of the characters in the film live exemplary lives or even make good choices, and unfortunately the audience is exposed to their poor choices in graphic detail throughout the entire film. It’s just, plainly and simply, not suitable for most viewers.

But, I suppose, with a title like Knocked Up what else would you expect?

FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:

Skip this one—but if you’re set on seeing it, save it for DVD so you can have a little more control over the inappropriate parts.

AFTER THE SHOW: 

• What are some examples of negative behavior, especially concerning relationships, depicted in this movie, and how could the characters have handled themselves in more positive and loving ways?

• What do you think are important elements of healthy, Christ-centered relationships? How do you think characters in this film could have benefited from these elements in their own relationships?

• Why was it important that Alison decided to keep her baby, and how does the movie indicate that this was the right choice?

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