Pete and Debbie are both about to turn 40, their kids hate each other, both of their businesses are failing, they're on the verge of losing their house, and their relationship is threatening to fall apart.
"This Is 40" tends to be about the self-inflicted problems of spoiled upper-middle class white people. Which can be sort of funny, sure. Sort of.
– Tom Long,
Detroit News,
21 Dec 2012
fresh:
Judd Apatow is not a disciplined artist. And that's a good thing.
– Stephen Whitty,
Newark Star-Ledger,
21 Dec 2012
fresh:
The performers are so likable that you stay with them even when, as is often the case, the material is hit-or-miss.
– Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 Dec 2012
rotten:
Apparently Apatow's penchant for if-it's-not-broke filmmaking isn't changing anytime soon. And it's a shame, because while This is 40 has plenty of laughs, it lacks decency and heart.
– Ricardo Baca,
Denver Post,
21 Dec 2012
fresh:
However irritating 'This Is 40' is at times, there's a warmth that wins you over, and an honesty about families.