Sarah Marshall not so forgettable

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” Directed by: Nicholas Stoller Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis

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Film troupes are not a new occurrence. Take the Brat Pack of the 1980s: makers of “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles,” for example, or the coalition of writers and actors responsible for the majority of Christopher Guest’s “mockumentary” films of the 1990s.

There’s also the team of Ben Stiller, the Wilson brothers, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell and Will Ferrell (sometimes referenced as the Frat Pack) who produced many early 2000s comedies.

The newest troupe, led by producer Judd Apatow, is responsible for many successful features of the past few years.

This talented combination of producers, writers, directors and actors has contributed to such films as “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” and has built a reputation ensuring inappropriate humor and non-stop laughs. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” its most recent installment, proves no exception.

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is the writing debut for actor Jason Segel (“Knocked Up,” “How I Met Your Mother”) who also takes the leading role of Peter Bretter.

Supporting roles by Jonah Hill of “Superbad” and Paul Rudd from “Knocked Up” add flavor to an already talented cast featuring Kristen Bell of The CW’s “Veronica Mars” as the titular Sarah Marshall and Mila Kunis, most notable as Jackie from “That ’70s Show,” as Rachel Jansen.

“Forgetting” begins as Peter, a television composer, gets his heart broken by TV star Sarah Marshall, his girlfriend of the past five years. The film follows Peter as he travels to Hawaii in an attempt to shed the memories of his former love.

The beautiful Hawaiian resort functions as the setting of Peter’s hilarious expedition fueled by bitter confrontations and drunken escapades.

His vacation spot is coincidentally the choice locale of Sarah and her new flame, hippie rocker Aldous Snow (fantastically portrayed by Russell Brand). The resort also proves to Peter that love is not permanently lost as a new romance builds with hotel receptionist, Rachel.

The film’s opening introduces the audience to Peter and Sarah with a montage of photographs of the smiling couple. The happiness painted by these pictures is soon overshadowed by melancholic depression -at least on Peter’s side- as the relationship quickly comes to an end.

“Forgetting” also references current pop culture with the relationship of Sarah and Aldous. She, representing the skinny, blonde, 20-something starlets who pop up all over tabloid covers and entertainment news shows in real life (think Paris, Lindsay and the Olsens.)

Her new boyfriend, shaggy and tattooed, epitomizes the exotic bad boys frequently photographed alongside the actresses.

Peter’s bad luck continuously leads him to the pair during his stay at the small resort, resulting in uncomfortably awkward, yet utterly hysterical, situations. There’s never a dull moment in the film, as each outrageous incident is outshined by something even more shocking.

The performances in “Forgetting” are just as entertaining as the confrontations. Dialogue naturally rolls off of the actors’ tongues. Each character encompasses a realm of human qualities, making it virtually impossible to dislike any of them.

Even the ex-girlfriend and her current beau draw empathy. Brand’s ex-junkie, spiritually in-tune Aldous is so affable and encouraging that even Peter has a hard time hating him.

And just when Sarah seems as self-centered as many real starlets appear to be, she confesses to Peter the hardships she endured trying to save their relationship.

The film plays on most emotions one could wish to experience as a movie-goer. Rarely absent are the laugh-out-loud moments essential for a successful comedy. But “Forgetting” offers viewers more serious, poignant moments as well.

So make sure to relieve finals week stress and hit the theaters for a film that provides laughs with substance.