The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Andy Stitzer, a content but severely awkward electronics store employee, has a secret: at age 40, he is still a virgin. When his co-workers discover this fact, they take it upon themselves to help him “get laid” before his 41st birthday. However, Andy soon meets Trish, a single mother who complicates the simple mission by introducing actual romance and emotional connection.
Length: 1h56m
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Buddy Comedy
This Title is: A heartfelt, raucous exploration of delayed maturity and intimacy.
Cast
Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Seth Rogen
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: R – Pervasive sexual content, language, and some drug use.
FAQ
- Is The 40 Year Old Virgin Based on a True Story?: No. The concept originated from a Second City skit created by star Steve Carell, and the screenplay is an original work co-written by Carell and Judd Apatow.
- Where was The 40 Year Old Virgin filmed?: Principal photography took place across various locations in California, primarily around Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley and Studio City.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Lyle Workman composed the original score. The popular soundtrack also features numerous classic rock and pop songs.
Filmmaker Profile
Judd Apatow made his feature directorial debut with this production. His signature style blends raw, vulgar humor with genuine emotional sincerity. He often collaborates with the same stable of comedic talent, creating stories that explore arrested development and the path to real adulthood.
Why It’s Worth Watching
This production succeeds by anchoring outrageous, high-energy jokes in a fundamentally sweet and relatable premise. The strength of the supporting cast’s improvised banter provides constant high points, but the real appeal is the chemistry between the two leads, giving the story a true sense of emotional payoff and enduring charm.
Main Character Deep Dive
Andy Stitzer’s struggle is his internal conflict between fear and desire, masked by his safe, juvenile existence. Steve Carell excels at conveying Andy’s shy, anxious vulnerability alongside his surprisingly pure heart. The actor finds extraordinary humor and humanity in the character’s fumbling attempts to catch up with life, making his journey truly triumphant and memorable.
Unforgettable Quote
“Oh, Kelly Clarkson!”
Trivia
- The iconic chest-waxing scene was entirely real; Steve Carell volunteered to have his own chest hair ripped off to make his screams and pain authentic.
- The line “Kelly Clarkson!” shouted during the waxing scene was an improvised suggestion from co-star Paul Rudd, which the director loved and kept.
- This comedy was the feature directorial debut for writer/producer Judd Apatow, who went on to spearhead many popular comedic productions.
Trailer
Stream The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) on:
Our Review
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We loved this production from the first frame to the last. Steve Carell delivers one of the great comedic performances of the century, bringing an incredible level of warmth and sincerity to the central role of Andy Stitzer. The script, co-written by Carell and Judd Apatow, is brilliant, managing to achieve maximum laughs through constant, spontaneous improvisational energy while maintaining a surprisingly moving, earnest heart. The ensemble surrounding Carell, particularly Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen, is truly phenomenal, creating many side-splitting and memorable moments. I highly recommend watching this one for the incredible balance of raunchy humor and genuine romantic sweetness. It’s a special comedy that gives the audience so much joy and satisfaction while crafting a memorable, redemptive story. I found the direction to be sharp and the comic timing impeccable, proving that high-concept comedy can still resonate emotionally.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you enjoy raunchy but sweet comedies built on great character performances and sharp, mostly-improvised dialogue that focuses on real emotional growth.
