The 40-Year-Old Virgin | 2005

The locations for this amiable comedy showcase for the talents of Steve Carell can mostly be found in Encino in the San Fernando Valley, north of Los Angeles.

The fictitious ‘Smart Tech’ electronics store in which Andy Stitzer (Carell) works, is a play on the retail stores Circuit City and Future Shop, utilising the similarities in their uniforms and floor layout. It is, however, a ‘skin care facility’ – FlashLaser Aesthetics, in the Encino Courtyard Mall, 17401 Ventura Boulevard at White Oak Avenue.

The ‘We Sell Your Stuff on eBay’ store, run by Trish (Catherine Keener), was, amazingly, the real thing, which was incorporated into the script. They seem to have put the location fee to good use, perking up the storefronts opposite the Mall. The store is Net2Auction, 17412 Ventura Boulevard.

The bookstore in which Andy chats up sales assistant Beth, appears to be the ‘Valley Bookstore’ in the Mall, but the scene deserts the Valley, and was filmed in in Pasadena, in Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Boulevard at South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena.

Andy and Trish’s first date is at Japanese restaurant Benihana, 16226 Ventura Boulevard, Encino.

The nightmarish speed-dating scene, with Andy and his workmates meeting a myriad of women via timed, five-minute dates, is at Bistro Garden, 12950 Ventura Boulevard. You can see the restaurant again in 1997 Jim Carrey comedy Liar Liar.

Delmonico's Lobster House, 16358 Ventura Boulevard, between Libbit and Hayvenhurst Avenues, Encino, was the venue for Andy's second date with Trish.

The climactic bike accident sequence, after which Andy finally confesses his virginity to Trish, was filmed on Ventura Place, just west of Laurel Canyon in Studio City.

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