Following off of a critically disappointing reaction to This is 40, director Judd Apatow decided to move on to his next project, titling it "Trainwreck" as if generously handing critics an easy opportunity for a pun should this next movie go bad as well. "Well, that sure was a trainwreck. Get it?" Thankfully, Apatow returns with a bang and scurries all the haters away quickly. The joke is on them now. Trainwreck follows a female lead this time around, Amy (played by rising-star comedian Amy Schumer), who lives an incredibly promiscuous lifestyle. One-night stands with burly jocks and wealthy dentists provide her with enough emotional/physical comfort, and so much as a romantic gesture from a partner scares her away. However, what happens when she suddenly falls for the sports doctor (Bill Hader) she's assigned to interview for a men's magazine feature?
Schumer is joined by an amazing cast including appearances from Lebron James, John Cena, Daniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei, Tilda Swinton, Brie Larson, and more. Honestly, it's thanks to the actors surrounding Schumer that make this film so damn funny. Cena (who's easily the best part of the movie) and James, in particular, essentially poke fun at themselves throughout the entire film without any fear of embarrassment. What's it like having sex with meatheads, for example? Of course, then there's Bill Hader who is incredibly likable as usual, carrying brilliant timing and sarcasm around like an instant comedic weapon. The awkward and ill-fitting dynamic between him–a normal man who wants a normal relationship–and Amy–a woman who's having trouble hiding her highly licentious history and maintaining her composure–never drains of amusing entertainment.
Lebron James apparently watches Downton Abbey. Such a riot! Schumer herself, however, when the spotlight is solely focused on her– while occasionally funny as well–really just relies on the raunchiest of sex jokes the whole time. At that moment, it turns into a competition of just how descriptive the sexual conversations and insults can get. Personally, that sense of humor has grown fairly tired since Apatow's debut twenty years ago (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), and I haven't been a fan of Schumer's comedic work so far anyway. Then again, a month ago, Melissa McCarthy actually impressed me and forced me into incessant, painful laughter with Spy–something I never expected from her. In this case, Schumer is exactly the same foul-mouthed, dirty-minded comedian we see so much of nowadays (Sarah Silverman being another example).
Now, like Woody Allen, Judd Apatow treats the comedy genre with respect. We see dozens of lazily-shot comedies every year; the cinematography is always crystal-clear and modern without any sense of visual flair. However, Apatow makes his comedies look like actual films rather than the careless, 90-minute quickies Hollywood is known for. We see beautiful lighting in classy restaurant scenes with the right level of depth of field. (The fact that the movie was shot on film rather than in the digital format certainly helps bring that nicely saturated look to the screen.)
That being said, Trainwreck unfortunately feels like another romantic- comedy with nothing really new to say once we truly start looking at the plot. Okay, monogamy is stupid and senseless? Interesting concept. The main character lives with that mentality until she meets "the one" and decides to go the romantic route once all is said and done. What made her change her mind? What is the solution to monogamy or crass human nature? Trainwreck gives us an extremely conventional conclusion to the rom-com story but never a fitting climax to these fascinating societal themes, thus failing to drive its semi-unique premise to the end and losing the originality the further we delve into the duration. The story hits its predictable beats right at the most predicable points. So, is it Apatow at his most creative? I really don't think so. With that being said, considering a summer that's lacking in laughter, Trainwreck will undoubtedly regenerate your sense of humor and get you back on Lebron James' side.
Schumer is joined by an amazing cast including appearances from Lebron James, John Cena, Daniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei, Tilda Swinton, Brie Larson, and more. Honestly, it's thanks to the actors surrounding Schumer that make this film so damn funny. Cena (who's easily the best part of the movie) and James, in particular, essentially poke fun at themselves throughout the entire film without any fear of embarrassment. What's it like having sex with meatheads, for example? Of course, then there's Bill Hader who is incredibly likable as usual, carrying brilliant timing and sarcasm around like an instant comedic weapon. The awkward and ill-fitting dynamic between him–a normal man who wants a normal relationship–and Amy–a woman who's having trouble hiding her highly licentious history and maintaining her composure–never drains of amusing entertainment.
Lebron James apparently watches Downton Abbey. Such a riot! Schumer herself, however, when the spotlight is solely focused on her– while occasionally funny as well–really just relies on the raunchiest of sex jokes the whole time. At that moment, it turns into a competition of just how descriptive the sexual conversations and insults can get. Personally, that sense of humor has grown fairly tired since Apatow's debut twenty years ago (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), and I haven't been a fan of Schumer's comedic work so far anyway. Then again, a month ago, Melissa McCarthy actually impressed me and forced me into incessant, painful laughter with Spy–something I never expected from her. In this case, Schumer is exactly the same foul-mouthed, dirty-minded comedian we see so much of nowadays (Sarah Silverman being another example).
Now, like Woody Allen, Judd Apatow treats the comedy genre with respect. We see dozens of lazily-shot comedies every year; the cinematography is always crystal-clear and modern without any sense of visual flair. However, Apatow makes his comedies look like actual films rather than the careless, 90-minute quickies Hollywood is known for. We see beautiful lighting in classy restaurant scenes with the right level of depth of field. (The fact that the movie was shot on film rather than in the digital format certainly helps bring that nicely saturated look to the screen.)
That being said, Trainwreck unfortunately feels like another romantic- comedy with nothing really new to say once we truly start looking at the plot. Okay, monogamy is stupid and senseless? Interesting concept. The main character lives with that mentality until she meets "the one" and decides to go the romantic route once all is said and done. What made her change her mind? What is the solution to monogamy or crass human nature? Trainwreck gives us an extremely conventional conclusion to the rom-com story but never a fitting climax to these fascinating societal themes, thus failing to drive its semi-unique premise to the end and losing the originality the further we delve into the duration. The story hits its predictable beats right at the most predicable points. So, is it Apatow at his most creative? I really don't think so. With that being said, considering a summer that's lacking in laughter, Trainwreck will undoubtedly regenerate your sense of humor and get you back on Lebron James' side.