For over two decades now Paul Rudd has provided audiences with countless laughs and an endearing persona. The funny man has proven his adaptability throughout his career, and this weekend Rudd will try his hand as Marvel's latest superhero, Ant-Man. Therefore, I'm dedicating July's Movie List of the Month to the best films featuring Paul Rudd (June's List).
Honorable Mention: Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, I Love You, Man and Our Idiot Brother
#5. This Is 40 (2012)
While I'll always hold a gripe regarding Judd Apatow's habitual and annoying obsession with dragging his comedies past the two hour mark, This Is 40 at least keeps the laughs coming throughout its entire duration. Paul Rudd and his onscreen companion, Leslie Mann, remind us all about the struggles and burdens that come with getting older.
#4. Clueless (1995)
How can you make a "Best of Paul Rudd" list without including his breakout film, Clueless? I mean ... as if! Alicia Silverstone was definitely the draw in this 90s chick-flick centered around a valley girl's seemingly important social life, but Rudd proved early on that he has a knack for playing the kind-hearted love interest. Clueless put Paul Rudd on the map, and it achieves some quality laughs along the way too.
#3. Anchorman (2004)
While Clueless kick-started Rudd's career, Anchorman was the film that truly made him a household name. Over a decade ago Will Ferrell was the face of comedy and, in typical Paul Rudd form, his co-star took the backseat in this clever and hysterical examination of a local news team. But as the years pass, Ferrell falls further and further from his previous glory while Rudd's career has held impressively strong. Simply reaffirming that Paul Rudd is a very gifted actor and not just some flavor of the week,
#2. Role Models (2008)
Perhaps Paul Rudd's most overlooked film is the 2008 comedy, Role Models. With some amazing films released that year like The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, Gran Torino and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it's easy to understand how this oddly-timed November release got lost in the shuffle. Rudd stars alongside American Pie's Seann William Scott as best friends who find themselves in a bit of trouble with the law. But rather than jail time, they're afforded the opportunity to serve as "big brothers" to a pair of outlandish youth. The humor is top-notch and the characters are all magnificent in this massively underrated comedy
#1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Without a doubt the best film starring Paul Rudd is one of the greatest comedy's ever constructed, Judd Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Although Apatow obviously has an obsession with the mid-life age of 40, there's no question that this comedy classic has stood the test of time. Immensely quotable and filled with non-stop laugh out loud humor, you can tell that I hold The 40-Year-Old Virgin in extremely high regard. Paul Rudd delivers an iconic side character, Dave, who can't seem to get over his ex-girlfriend from two years ago and who pushes his big box of porn (featuring "Boner James '03") onto Andy (Steve Carell). Throughout his storied career Rudd has clearly left an impression on the comedic community and beyond. Perhaps with Ant-Man, we'll get to see another noteworthy side to this talented performer.
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