Every generation has a teen sex comedy to call its own. Following in the tradition of raunchy, envelope-pushing romps like Porky’s, Fast Times At Ridgmont High, and American Pie, Superbad may stand as the best of them all. Unabashed and unashamed in all its vulgarity, what sets it apart is a touching undercurrent of vulnerability, insecurity, and emotional weakness which allows the film to plant its feet firmly in reality and not the testosterone-soaked fantasy world of teen-aged boys. Producer Judd Apatow, who also directed The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, teams up with writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, director Greg Mottola, and a perfect cast to prove that hilarity is more than skin deep and that, underneath the laughter, a heart beats.

Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are Seth and Evan—lifelong best friends ready to kiss high school goodbye and head off to college. One problem: Evan has been accepted to Dartmouth and Seth, educationally challenged, is destined for a less stellar academic institution. Before high school ends, however, they are determined to make a name for themselves and make up for years of living on the fringes of popularity. Joined by a nerdy third-wheel named Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), the trio joins forces in one last-ditch attempt for social credibility by promising to supply the alcohol for a house party given by popular Jules (Emma Stone). Armed with Fogell’s fake ID, on which he is hilariously given the one-word moniker McLovin, they get the booze but run into a string of outrageous obstacles involving the police (the outstanding Bill Hader and Rogen) and a party of older dope-smoking, hard-drinking slackers. Seth (and to a lesser extent Evan) also have sexual conquest on their minds: Seth has his eyes set on Jules and Evan is interested in her friend Becca (Martha MacIsaac). As in most situations, things are not always what they seem, as the boys soon discover. Seth, true to his personality, is brutally relentless in his pursuit while Evan is conflicted by his immense respect for Becca. He even objects to the use of alcohol in closing the deal on grounds that it is “unethical.”

The realism of teen-age behavior may be rooted in the fact that Rogen and Goldberg wrote the script when they were thirteen. Like it or not, the frank vulgarity of not just the language but the topics of conversation (a fascination of the human anatomy, both male and female) is a snapshot of our own teenage experience. No need to sugarcoat—unless you grew up in a bubble, there is much that is relatable here. We recognize Seth and Evan because we once were them. You can feign shock and outrage at the sheer obnoxiousness of their obsessions but, lest you forget, you were young once too. What sets Superbad apart from similar films, it is not exploitive in its intentions. The graphic honesty is essential for the development of its characters and we can easily sympathize with their struggles. (That being said, as a matter of conscience, a blanket recommendation for the film cannot be given especially for teenagers. Those who struggle with sexuality, alcohol, or rebellion in general should be cautious).

What lies beneath all the macho bravado of hormone-induced pursuit of pleasure are two scared little boys in the bodies of young men in the midst of a confusing life-change. Seth, angry that his best friend is leaving him for college (and, to top it off, rooming with Mclovin), is fearful that things will never be the same. Evan, slightly more mature emotionally but scared nevertheless, is torn between pursuing his potential and dreams or staying loyal to his childhood buddy. The tenderness and bond between the two is evident as they realize that, regardless of the geographical distance between them, they will always be best friends. Even as they venture off in different directions, a silent, knowing glance at each other is worth a thousand words. Watching these two boys enter into the unknown world to become men, we are reminded of the words of the apostle Paul: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” They may not be men yet, but something tells me that Seth, Evan, and the other kids from Superbad are going to be just fine.