Knocked Up: Pleasant delivery or bring on the epidural?

It's hard to find a quality romance film these days, let alone a romantic comedy that actually delivers the laughs. For me personally, nothing can compete with the classic tale of impetuous young love between Noah and Allie in 'The Notebook'. As for romantic comedies, the combination of a stellar cast and well-written script, 'Love Actually' never fails to make you feel.

The latest in romcom's is director Judd Apatow's 'Knocked Up'. I had high hopes for Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl's character, who plays stunning career woman Alison - the one who ironically get's knocked-up by an overweight, un-employed stoner with a keen interest in reviewing the nude shots in adult films. So much so that he and his pot-head flatmates turn this pastime into a business endeavour, seeking to create an online nude-scene database.

Lacking in any real narrative substance, nerdy no-hoper Ben's character's motivation to become romantically involved with Alison is simply due to an alcohol-fuelled act of unprotected sex. Although the laughs are there - albiet few - being that the romantic attraction between the lead characters is not a natural, blossoming affection, rather a result of pure circumstance, it fails to satisy or appeal. While there are some belly laughs to be had this film is cretainly no '50 First Dates', 'Notting Hill' 'Shallow Hal' or 'Bridget Jones's Diary', depending on your taste. That said, if you're in the mood for a light but fresh, quirky take on he romantic comedy storyline, 'Knocked Up' could be just the thing for you.