PROVING the gross-out comedy genre still has some mileage, Knocked Up is set to deliver summer's biggest sleeper smash.

Although it is still lewd, crude and rude, Knocked Up moves away from the slapstick-style of gross out classics such as Van Wilder and Jackass and instead director Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin) thinks outside the box-office by crafting a story as gag heavy as it is heartfelt.

Our odd couple meet in a bar; career girl Alison (Katherine Heigl) celebrating her promotion as an entertainment TV presenter and layabout Ben (the endearing Seth Rogen, in his first lead role) toasting another day in front of the TV.

They bond over tequila and bad dancing and despite sharing the sex appeal of a soiled nappy, Ben beds Alison. Then, thanks to contraceptive crossed-wires, the next morning Alison unwittingly wakes up with far more than a hangover.

To say Alison is out of his league, is akin to saying Britney Spears has lost the plot, but for the sake of the baby, she gives Ben a shot. And eventually, as the audience inevitably do too, Alison warms to Ben's kind nature, lack of tact and self- deprecating sense of humour.

Toilet, bedroom and other room humour ensues as Alison has to deal with Ben's clan of goonish pals, who have plenty of hair but little initiative and instead of real jobs devote their time to a website detailing the exact running time in films where female stars flash flesh.

Whereas Ben faces doubting future sister in-law Debbie (Apatow's real-life wife, Leslie Mann) who makes little secret of the fact she finds him as desirable as morning sickness.

Pete (a hilarious Paul Rudd), the brother in law-to-be, however, fights Ben's corner and the two have more comic chemistry and better banter than any of the on-screen couples.

These matey men prove Apatow can craft excellent male characters; sleazy female-sympathiser Jason, wisecracking husband Pete and loveable geek Ben are pitched perfectly.

Yet it's telling his leading ladies aren't quite so endearing; the bored housewife is a neglected battleaxe and he gets the career girl pregnant.

But the relentless humour - the script is ready to burst with Tarantinoesque pop culture references packing even the more boring relationship-building scenes with quality enough one- liners to keep up the comic pace - appeases this and Knocked Up is about misunderstanding the opposite sex, afterall.

Agreed, the story may be well-worn (underachieving male wins over a successful hottie) but a script full of smarts, the insightful portrayal of relationships and a cast full of affable characters make this feel-good film a real bundle of joy.

  • Released August 24