Forgetting Sarah Marshall

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I wanted to take a look at titles "for the bachelor" this month; each one with some specific reason as to why I personally see it as such. To make a life-long story short, I'm more or less a life-long bachelor. Over the years of being perpetually single, there have been a few stand-out titles I like to refer to if I ever feel like I need that extra boost. I might have to say that 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' is one that stands out as, likely, my all-time personal fave under this somewhat obscure category.

One of the reasons this stands out so far for me is that I just so happened to see it with one of my exes - not as though she's an ex recently, but an ex at the time. I remember finding the movie to be pretty ironic because it was essentially showing me everything I needed to see at the time. Admittedly, I wasn't entirely over her at the time, so in many ways, this was a lesson in love for yours truly. It does it all so perfectly, simultaneously showing us how... let's just say "sad" we can be after a breakup while taking us by the hand and saying "here's how we get over ALL these terrible things".

The oh-so relatable lead (at least for me) is Peter Bretter (Jason Segel); a TV composer for a 'CSI' parody called 'Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime'. Also featured on the show are its leads; Billy Baldwin (as himself) and Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), who happens to be dating Peter until one day when she abruptly breaks it off with him, ultimately breaking his heart. He seeks friendship and advice from his stepbrother and good friend, Brian (Bill Hader), but ends up pretty much going against it all, including taking a trip to Hawaii (because Sarah always wanted to check out Hawaii). Of course, by happenstance, once there, Peter runs into Sarah and her new flame, the impossible-to-compete-against Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).

Despite the awkwardness of staying at the same resort, Peter is given a nice leg up on the situation when the lovely hotel concierge, Rachel Janson (Mila Kunis) allows him to have the master suite, as long as he takes responsibility for any cleanup, himself. Over time, Peter and Rachel's friendship begins to blossom, and Peter makes friends with some colourful characters; a tough-loving bartender named Dwayne (Da'Vone McDonald), a newlywed couple with bed troubles, Derald and Wyoma (Jack McBrayer and Maria Thayer, respectively), a friendly local named Kemo (Taylor Wily) and, perhaps the best character in the movie (aside from maybe Aldous), a dimwitted, but optimistic surfer named "Kunu" (Paul Rudd).

JUST so I'm not leaving one of my fave comedic actors out, however, Jonah Hill also bears mentioning here. He plays a waiter and super fan of Aldous, and is responsible here for one of my new favourite sayings; "I'll just go f*&% myself" (said as casually as "I'm just gonna go hit the bathroom"). Further names like Jason Bateman, Gedde Watanabe, Kristen Wiig and Carla Gallo cameo here as well, so it's full of some pretty solid names (at least as far as this type of movie is concerned). But of course, these names only lend themselves as a part of my love for this movie.

One thing these movies on this list have in common is the sense of leaving what's hurting you behind, and moving on with something different, and generally something more. The thing is, they each have a certain "volume" to them, if you will (in other words, some are harsher than others). But they all also have a certain detail or two that really help one's mourning thought process while watching it. Here, it's the idea of meeting new people along the way, as part of the healing process involves putting yourself out there. A part of meeting new people is making new friends, and it doesn't end at "trying to meet someone special".

That little tidbit is something I really pushed aside until I saw this; it was like a wake-up call. I've always had friends to talk to about this stuff, but talking about it only goes so far. The various people Peter meets here help him through his hard time, and it doesn't always have to do with the heartbreak part of it. Even Rachel challenges him to leap off a cliff in a gesture to face fears and experience ultimate freedom (and while I appreciate it, that's a big no from me). The married couple shows that even happy new couples have problems, and Kunu has the perspective of "when life gives you lemons, just say f*&% the lemons and bail". When you think about it, it makes perfect sense; turn your back on your problems.

Anyway, I've gushed enough. This is almost the perfect level of taking a look at your recently single situation in a comedic fashion. Along the way, you get to see that you're not necessarily the "saddest" one out there. But it also does a really good job of poking at you with characters like Aldous Snow. Generally, he represents the guy who your partner leaves you for, and he's got way too much over you, it's again, impossible to compete. It's a good reminder that we bachelors aren't alone in situations like this. I've pretty much embraced bachelorhood these days, but that doesn't mean I'll never feel heartbreak again. It's good to know, however, that when I do, I'll always have 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' to help me through it.

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