“Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” producer Judd Apatow’s newest creation, is a comedy that delves into what most people would characterize as the premise for a heartbreaking drama.

Jason Segel (“How I Met Your Mother”), who wrote the film, stars as composer Peter Bretter. He is the boyfriend of Sarah Marshall (Kristin Bell), the star of “Crime Scene,” an obvious “CSI” jab that costars the real life Billy Baldwin.

The movie begins recounting the days of Peter – sleeping in, watching “Access Hollywood” and consuming enormous stainless steel bowls of Froot Loops.

Mere minutes into the nearly two hour feature film, Sarah returns to Peter to end their relationship. The audience is graced with the fully frontal breakdown promised to us before we entered the theater. When I say full frontal, I mean full frontal. We see it all. Several times.

The heartbroken Peter, who finally puts pants back on, consults his stepbrother, played by the hysterical Bill Hader (“Saturday Nigh Live”), for advice. After Peter suffers through a series of awkward one-night stands, the stepbrother recommends a vacation. The interactions between Hader and Segel, whether in person or over Skype-like conversations mid-vacation, are one of the highlights of this film.

A welcoming staff greets Peter in Hawaii, most importantly Rachel, played by the surprisingly good Mila Kunis (“That’s 70s Show”). The greeting is muted by the realization that his ex and her new beau, Brit rocker Aldous Snow (British comedian and radio star Russell Brand), are enjoying a vacation at the same resort.

Peter soaks his days in rum and befriends the staff and patrons of the resort, including stoner surf instructor Paul Rudd, Aldous Snow obsessed waiter Jonah Hill and “30 Rock’s” favorite concierge, Jack Brayer, as a disgruntled newlywed.

The true triumph of this and other Apatow movies is its ability to take the pathetic gestures that half-men, like Peter, do and somehow make us not judge them. We are on their side, rooting for them.

In fact, we see Aldous Snow at one point mid-ocean with Peter’s character explaining how he should hate Aldous, but just can’t because he is “so cool.” What a nice guy, right?

Moviegoers may be walking into this film with very high expectations. It seems that the Apatow team, including Hill and Co., can’t go wrong lately.”40 Year Old Virgin” began it all and then came “Knocked Up” and “Superbad.” – all gems. They won’t be disappointed. This is another winner to add to the list.

Briana Monasky can be reached at [email protected]