Synopsis

Andy Stitzer is a shy, mild-mannered electronics store employee who has reached age 40 without having sex. When his co-workers discover the secret, they make it their mission to help him gain romantic experience. Their well-meaning schemes lead to awkward encounters, while Andy develops a genuine relationship with Trish, forcing him to confront his fears and reconsider what intimacy really means.

Factoids & Trivia

• The premise grew from a comedy sketch Steve Carell created while performing with Chicago's Second City. Carell and Judd Apatow later expanded the idea into the screenplay.

• Carell's performance in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy helped inspire Apatow to build the film around him.

• The entire "You Know How I Know You're Gay?" exchange was improvised by Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen.

• Carell lost approximately 30 pounds while preparing for the role. The change helped establish that Andy's lack of romantic experience came from shyness and anxiety rather than his appearance.

• Universal briefly halted production after the first week. The studio reportedly disliked the early footage and worried that Andy's look made him resemble a serial killer.

• The theatrical cut runs approximately 116 minutes, while the unrated home-video version runs about 133 minutes and includes additional material.

• Made for about $26 million, the film earned more than $177 million worldwide and became a major commercial breakthrough for Carell and Apatow.

• The American Film Institute included the film among its ten best movies of 2005.