Trainwreck
There’s a moment in Trainwreck, the 5th directorial feature from Judd Apatow, which recreates the glorious shot of the Queensboro Bridge from Woody Allen’s Manhattan (1979), Gershwin and all. Only the central character, Amy (Amy Schumer), is giving Dr. Aaron Conners (played by a surprisingly capable Bill Hader) a blowjob. I would consider it sacrilege if Apatow wasn’t able to carry this film with as much grace, humour and emotional heft as he fortunately does; a film about commitment in every sense – to your job, your partner, your family, and your feelings.
Having moved from the West Coast to NYC, Apatow is out of his comfort zone and has crafted a film that feels paradoxically refreshing and familiar. The humour comes straight from the films lead star, Amy Schumer, who wrote the script for Apatow to direct. For the first time, Apatow is directing from someone else’s screenplay and finds new depths in female characters than in his occasionally criticised male-oriented films such as Knocked Up (2007). Furthermore, the film features none of his usual collaborators (Bill Hader is the only major cast member to have had involvement in a previous Apatow project) such as Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd or his wife and children, Leslie, Maude and Iris. This allows for unexpected character arcs and new styles of comedic performance as the audience aren’t arriving at the cinema with an abundance of preconceptions regarding the lead stars.
Trainwreck strikes a perfect balance between Apatow’s occasionally crass brand of improvisational humour, sweet-natured romance and emotional resonance
Schumer and Hader are note perfect throughout; a viewer can sympathise with them one moment and feel judgemental the next. Both of the characters possess individual flaws and they deal with relatively realistic issues and worries that plague most relationships. The supporting cast also includes stellar work from LeBron James, John Cena, and Ezra Miller; all three deliver performances so well-judged and downright hilarious that the screen time they are each afforded never seems to be enough. Miller is also allowed to deliver the movie’s finest line, ‘HIT ME, YOU CHILDLESS MILF!’
Image: UPI Media
All this is Apatow stretching his comedic legs outside the bounds of the family-focused ‘dramedy’ genre, to which he’s become so accustomed for the last 5 years or so. However, the roots still remain and he seems persistent to address issues of family, specifically father-daughter relationships, which were touched upon but not fully realised in his last film, This Is 40 (2012). Difficult ground is covered regarding one’s legacy and the feelings of outward or repressed love towards a racist, misogynist, generally insulting human being. It is when Apatow deals with these issues, aided by Schumer’s highly emotionally charged performance, where Trainwreck transcends its ‘romantic-comedy’ label and becomes a triumphant piece of confident and assured work from the director.
Whilst not as daring as his 2009 magnum-opus Funny People (featuring a great Adam Sandler performance… yes, really, check it out), or as meditative as the delightful and smartly observational This Is 40, Trainwreck strikes a perfect balance between Apatow’s occasionally crass brand of improvisational humour, sweet-natured romance and emotional resonance; largely due to the brilliant casting, razor-sharp script and experienced direction.
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, John Cena, Tilda Swinton, LeBron James
Running Time: 120 Mins
Country: US
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