Stand up comedian and SIDEWALKS special correspondent David Lew reviews the comedy “Trainwreck,” a film directed by Judd Apatow and written & starring Amy Schumer.
TRAINWRECK
Universal Pictures
Release Date: July 17, 2015
Rated: R (Restricted – Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.
Cast: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, John Cena, with Tilda Swinton and LeBron James
Directed by:Judd Apatow
Written by: Amy Schumer
Studio Synopsis:
No contemporary filmmaker has chronicled the messy human experience with the eye and ear of a comedic cultural anthropologist like Judd Apatow. Hits as varied as those he’s directed, like Knocked Up and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and those he’s produced, like “Superbad” and “Bridesmaids,” are all unified by their honest, unflinching, comic look at how complicated it is to grow up in the modern world. Apatow has also built a history of helping break distinctive new comedy voices into the mainstream, from Seth Rogen to Lena Dunham among many others. Now, in his fifth feature film as a director, Apatow again brings a portrait of an unforgettable character, and a portrayal by a breakout new comedy star, together in “Trainwreck,” written by and starring Amy Schumer (“Inside Amy Schumer”) as a woman who lives her life without apologies, even when maybe she should apologize.
Since she was a little girl, it’s been drilled into Amy’s (Schumer) head by her rascal of a dad (Colin Quinn) that monogamy isn’t realistic. Now a magazine writer, Amy lives by that credo—enjoying what she feels is an uninhibited life free from stifling, boring romantic commitment—but in actuality, she’s kind of in a rut. When she finds herself starting to fall for the subject of the new article she’s writing, a charming and successful sports doctor named Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), Amy starts to wonder if other grown-ups, including this guy who really seems to like her, might be on to something.
The comedy, from a script written by Schumer, co-stars Brie Larson, John Cena, Tilda Swinton and LeBron James. Apatow produces “Trainwreck” through his Apatow Productions alongside Barry Mendel (“Bridesmaids,” “This Is 40”).
David’s Take:
“Trainwreck” is far from it; Schumer shines!
“Trainwreck” is the latest comedy directed by Judd Apatow (“40 Year Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up”). The film is unique in the fact that this is the first film Apatow has directed but has not written. Writing duties fall on latest comedy “It” girl Amy Schumer (who also stars in the film). You may recognize Schumer from her successful showings on several Comedy Central roasts or from her hit sketch show, “Inside Any Schumer.” This is her first foray into feature film screenwriting, and overall I would have to say it’s a rousing success.
The film follows Amy, a writer for a men’s magazine (think Maxim on steroids), as she tries to climb the corporate ladder. She begrudgingly accepts an assignment interviewing a hot shot sports surgeon (played by the always great Bill Hader of “Saturday Night Live” fame). Do you smell a meet cute coming? Well, you’re right. The film focuses on the highs and lows of the blossoming relationship between the two.
Schumer is great playing a woman allergic to relationships, who prefers one night stands. What I love about this film is the portrayal of a modern woman in control of her sexual encounters. I feel a lot of films like this feature the same tropes: one night stand montages, morning after dismals of one night stand, and raunchy humor ~ difference being the men are dismissing the women. It is very refreshing to see a woman in that role. For that reason alone, this film stands above most comedies.
A fact that can’t be ignored is the sheer amount of comedians that are featured in this film. I counted 10 or 11 comedians (and I’m sure I missed a few), ranging from Dave Attell as the homeless man in front of Amy’s building; Leslie Jones showing up as a subway rider; and Colin Quinn as Amy’s father, who famously instills the “monogamy isnt realistic” mantra in the trailers for the film. I love that Schumer and Apatow decided to showcase all these comedians as a nod to where Schumer and Apatow got their start.
How have I gone this far into the review and not acknowledge the surprise of the film? LeBron James CAN act! On paper, you would expect James to have brief cameo (think Brett Favre in “There’s Something about Mary”), however, he plays Hader’s best friend. Yes, the sports surgeon’s best friend is the NBA superstar. Sounds ridiculous but it works. In what could have been an embarrassing trainwreck of a performance (think Shaquille O’Neal in anything), James displays great comedic timing and seems natural in his first comedic role. I am now starting a petition for him to star in the remake of “Space Jam” … who’s with me?
The cast of cameos is also impressive. My personal favorite is John Cena (of WWE fame) as Amy’s somewhat boyfriend.
Overall, “Trainwreck” delivers on laughs, but also handles the emotional beats of Amy character’s relationship growing pains very well. If you’re a fan of Amy Schumer’s brand of raunchy in your face humor or Judd Apatow’s ability to have you roaring laughing then have a moment of clarity about your own life, then “Trainwreck” will deliver in spades.