‘Marshall’ a comedy to remember

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” calls itself “the world’s first romantic disaster comedy.” Romance is there. Disaster is there. Comedy is definitely there.

Yes, disaster does befall protagonist Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) when he flees to Hawaii after a bad breakup with the aforementioned Sarah (Kristen Bell), only to discover her vacationing at the same resort, with her new boyfriend in tow. But given the constant stream of laughs that follow, disaster should be the farthest word from viewers’ minds.

Produced by the comedy juggernaut that is Judd Apatow, the film brings together the cast of usual suspects: Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and star Jason Segel, who also wrote the script. The movie also sees some fantastically funny newbies in Russell Brand and Jack McBrayer.

At the heart of the story is, of course, the often woefully pathetic Peter, but, like an episode of “Seinfeld,” the ensemble cast supports him well. Aldous Snow (Brand), Sarah’s replacement boyfriend, is particularly infectious, and ultimately even Peter cannot resist the charm of his ridiculous personality.

Undoubtedly, the film’s greatest strength is its tendency toward digression, through whatever means necessary.

Segments of Sarah’s television show, “Crime Scene,” feature excellently crafted and hilarious subplots featuring McBrayer and Hill, as well as seemingly random pop culture arguments run throughout the film, grounding the story and assuring it never takes itself too seriously.

Though, as in past films like “Knocked Up,” most of the laughs are generated by the guys, the story manages to give the ladies their fair share of the limelight, and their characters are genuine and likeable.

Given its fine balance of the silly, the sweet and the satisfyingly vulgar, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is destined to be one of the most entertaining and memorable films of the year.