The story unfolds with a humiliating break up between a fully clothed Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell; TV’s “Heroes”) and her naked boyfriend Peter (Segel). Peter is crushed with the end of their long relationship, especially when the two work together as actress and music composer on a television police drama. His step-brother Brian (Bill Hader; “Pineapple Express”) suggests Peter try and forget his ex by going on an exotic vacation. When he arrives in Hawaii, he meets a friendly hotel clerk named Rachel (Mila Kunis) but also discovers Sarah has checked into the same hotel with her new flame, rock star Aldous Snow.
Sarah Marshall is refreshingly treated as more than a one-dimensional character with her side eventually being expressed. Her new boyfriend Aldous is sketchy but not as wild as you would expect from a rock star. His mediocrity distracts from the jealousies of the other characters. Jonah Hill (“Superbad”) co-stars as an Aldous Snow admirer. His performance left me cold with his misplaced man-crush humor.
More than anything else, this movie highlights the talents of Segel and Kunis who prove they are ready for the big screen. You will legitimately sympathize with Peter after the break up, despite some questionable actions he takes to forget Sarah. Segel successfully mines humor from the pain of an ended relationship, a brave creative decision. Kunis is finally able to erase our collective memory of her as Jackie on “That 70s Show”, by proving herself capable of this mature role. The potential of a relationship forming between Segel and Kunis is the strongest storyline running through the film.
The movie decides to emphasize humor over the romantic angle, though the latter is much more poignantly expressed. The director ultimately mishandles one too many punch lines, not exploiting the comic situations to full humorous effect. You are left with a smirk much of the film instead of an explosive laugh. As a story about relationships the movie has some shine to it but as an insightful comic commentary, “Saving Sarah Marshall” is a minor misfire which deserved to be funnier.
Rated R for sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.
