Scott
(Davidson) is a 24 year old son living at home with his widowed mom (Marisa
Tomei) on Staten Island. Jobless and going nowhere, his pipedream is to open a tattoo
parlor/restaurant while he hangs with his druggie friends and sweet girlfriend
who longs for more in life. When his sister moves out for college, his mom
begins dating a firefighter, Ray (Bill Burr) much to Scott’s misery. It seems
his own father was a firefighter who died in the line of duty when Scott was a
boy. Depressed with post trauma, Scott
must learn to navigate an uncertain future and confront his past.
Much as he helped comedian
Amy Schumer draw from her own background for Trainwreck, director Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) elicits some painful memories from Davidson’s real past
including losing his firefighter father during 9/11 and reframes them with a cynical,
humorous eye.
The
sharp, heartfelt screenplay (by Apatow, Davidson and David Sirus) walks a fine
line between humor and drama never deviating far from its comedic roots. It
doesn’t quite gel as well as you would like, but there are memorable moments
such as Scott walking Ray’s kids to school and interacting with them, and the
battle of wills between Scott and Ray.
Davidson’s
touching, self-cathartic performance shows he has a legitimate, dramatic side to
complement his comedic talents. Let’s
face it, he’s the reason to see this film;
it’s his show all the all the way, and he makes the most of it.
*** of **** stars (add ½* for Davidson fans)
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