The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a 2005 American romantic comedy film directed by Judd Apatow (in his characteristic directorial debut), who produced the movie with Clayton Townsend and Shauna Robertson. Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogen play co-staff who resolve to help him lose his virginity, and Catherine Keener stars as Andy's love interest, Trish. It was based on a sketch Carell created with The Second City the place a man aged 40 hides a secret. The movie was released theatrically within the United States on August 19, 2005, by Universal Pictures, and grossed over $177 million worldwide on a $26 million funds. Critical reviews had been generally optimistic, with reward for Carell's performance and the film's nicely-meaning yet bawdy humor, which was a degree of contention by some conservative commentators as properly. It options Steve Carell because the titular 40-yr-previous virgin Andy, an employee at an electronics retailer. Watching Carell's performance in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) impressed Apatow to cast him in the lead position for the film, and they wrote The 40-Year-Old Virgin together.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin was Judd Apatow's directorial debut. Apatow began casting the film early in the development course of and tailored its script to the strengths of the actors. While serving as a producer for the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, he received the idea to have a film with Steve Carell in the lead position after watching his performance in that, thinking "It can be great to see a Steve Carell movie". Carell did many versions of the sketch, making an attempt out totally different scenarios the place the 40-year-old man is hiding a "big secret". Apatow had problem arising with the ending for the movie. Garry Shandling instructed it was essential to show that Andy was having better sex because he was in love, and as a substitute of immediately displaying the intercourse they determined to have Andy sing and have a musical quantity. Carell created whereas performing with the improv comedy troupe The Second City.
Chris Serico of Today stated this "has continued to resonate amongst comedy fans, and served as a breakthrough film for its director, Judd Apatow, and his co-author/star, Steve Carell" a decade after being launched. He went onto praise Carell's efficiency and stated it "took his career and the film to the following degree". She known as that facet "a milestone" for "cinema's muddled relationship with virginity, during which women have since taken control of their advantage on screen, while men remain largely underrepresented" and declared the film as an entire to be "a milestone for intercourse-positive cinema". 15 years after the film's premiere, NME author Beth Webb praised its use of "a mature virgin" for a protagonist who does not really feel intercourse-starved. A 2018 article from Detroit Free Press contributor Julie Hinds noted that The 40-Year-Old Virgin was "Michigan's favourite romantic comedy", and called that ranking "a fantastic selection" when "Carell's character has a coronary heart of gold" and "ultimately lands in a solid, committed relationship".
When celebrating the movie's twentieth anniversary the following month, Jake Kring-Schreifels of The Ringer said The 40-Year-Old Virgin "kicked off a golden age of raunchy bro comedies". Rodrick, Stephen (May 27, 2007). "Judd Apatow's Family Values". He additionally called the film "a deeply funny and earnest exploration of American masculinity". Jacobs, Evan (December 13, 2005). "MovieWeb Gets Personal With 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' Director Judd Apatow". The brand new York Times. Kaltenbach, Chris (August 19, 2005). "Unadulterated fun". Kring-Schreifels, Jake (August 20, 2025). "The Oral History of 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'". Pincus-Roth, Zachary (February 2, 2006). "Judd Apatow and Steve Carell, 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'". Chitwood, Scott (December 11, 2005). "The forty Year Old Virgin (Unrated)". Renfro, Kim (August 19, 2019). "Then and Now: The cast of 'The 40-yr-outdated Virgin' 14 years later". Polowy, Kevin (August 19, 2020). "'40-Year-Old Virgin' at 15: Judd Apatow on Steve Carell's famous chest-waxing second, casting Stormy Daniels to do nude scenes".
Itzkoff, Dave (April 13, 2008). "Jason Segel of 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' Is a Young Actor With Nothing to hide". Cormier, Roger (August 19, 2015). "17 Belongings you Won't Know About the 40-Year-Old Virgin". Archived from the unique on January 8, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2019. Mr. Apatow also sought Mr. Segel for a supporting position in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" as a pal of the title character, portrayed by Steve Carell, however was refused by Universal Pictures. Murray, Rebecca (December 18, 2005). "Forty Year Old Virgin - Steve Carell Interview on 40 Year Old Virgin Movie". Romano, Nick (May 12, 2021). "Kelly Clarkson confronts Seth Rogen about the 'ahh, Kelly Clarkson' line in 40-Year-Old Virgin". Horn, John (August 14, 2005). "Keeping 'Virgin' funny, but with its pants on". cialis tablet price . Polowy, Kevin (August 21, 2020). "Romany Malco says he begged Judd Apatow to cut him out of '40-Year-Old Virgin'".