Trainwreck (Quick Review)

Casting is key when it comes to Trainwreck’s effectiveness.

Director Judd Apatow has seven years been due for a change in cast, and Trainwreck offers a refreshingly hilarious new crew, knocking off a few of his previously lesser actors, including the ever annoying as hell Leslie Mann (who additionally is Apatow’s wife).  To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from Trainwreck, the trailers offering a very misleading look at a supposed subpar comedy—as such it was an utter surprise when Trainwreck turned out to be a very witty, and unexpectedly touching romance-comedy.

For better or for worse (I personally see it as better), I relate a lot to the film’s protagonist Amy (Amy Schumer): being crude, fun-loving, not into sports, a writer, and enjoying miscellaneous activities (which ones her and I “relate” with I’ll leave up to reader imagination).  Amy’s written as a three-dimensional human, rather than a stereotypical female—a character both male and female viewers can relate with and enjoy.  It’s nice to see such a well-written female in an Apatow film—though I dare not ignore how involved Schumer is in Amy and the plot’s creation: being credited as the script’s writer.  Schumer finds a way to balance out Apatow’s usual male-centric comedy while still retaining his signature brand of humor—creating a fleshed-out, politically incorrect protagonist.  Yet that’s only the half of it, with Schumer playing the character equally as effective and, to put it bluntly, completely awesome.  Schumer is quick-witted, sharp, and unapologetically crass, yet can also be touching and sweet; segments such as the funeral scene are delivered with convincing grief and pleasant, dark humor.

As for Trainwreck’s other performances, I could focus on the solid roles from Bill Hader and Colin Quinn, but what I really want to talk about is LeBron James and John Cena’s unexpected stand out performances.  These two minor characters—played by a professional Basketball player and a WWE wrestler—are absolute scene stealers.  They’re hilarious, working more than effectively alongside Trainwreck’s stars to create the funniest scenes in the film.  Trainwreck still contains Apatow’s array of typical romance/family clichés, that while not subtle enough to be disregarded, are certainly lessened thanks to the film’s array of hilarious and touching performances.  Trainwreck features a return of Apatow’s entertainingly crass, yet charming comedy, though it has primarily to do with the film’s effective cast and Schumer’s witty, well-written script.