Trainwreck cruises along at a raunchy but entertaining clip for a solid hour or so. Then – about two-thirds of the way through – it veers off track. Not catastrophically. But enough to derail what might otherwise be a more enthusiastic review. Fans of the suddenly-everywhere Amy Schumer will likely get a kick out of her first foray into leading actress territory. After all, she wrote the movie. So it’s pure Schumer shtick, guided by the direction of Judd Apatow, known for movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Bridesmaids, This is 40, and Pineapple Express. If those titles don’t ring a bell – or ring the wrong one – then you should probably skip Trainwreck. If you’re in the mood for a bawdy romantic dramedy that reverses the conventional gender roles but is otherwise quite formulaic, then punch your ticket for Trainwreck. Or wait for the rental. It doesn’t really need to be seen on the big screen.
Here’s the gist: Schumer plays a character named Amy (that’s easy) who grew up clinging to her father’s mantra that “monogamy isn’t realistic.” Basically, she’s a slut, with a damaged, but potentially good heart. She seems content with her life and lifestyle, until she is assigned to write a magazine article about a high-profile sports doctor played by SNL alum Bill Hader. The good doctor falls hard and fast for Amy, though why doesn’t make all that much sense – especially when she acts like a selfish brat (at least) half the time. Hader proves quite endearing in this uncharacteristic leading man role, and he is supported with surprising comedic flare by basketball star LeBron James who plays the doctor’s best friend – basketball star LeBron James.
Trainwreck is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use. When it’s good, it’s very good, and funny, and at times, quite relatable. But it’s most definitely not for everyone. If you laugh out loud at the trailer, and get a kick out Amy Schumer’s brand of sketch comedy, then you don’t have much to lose giving her a boost at the box office to solidify her place in the summer sun. I mean, seriously, the girl is everywhere – from morning shows to late night to the cover of GQ (doing the nasty with 3-CPO). I do think Schumer has moments of comedic and satiric brilliance. But the jury’s still out on whether her brand of humor is sustainable in the long-term, and transferable to the big screen – beyond movies in which she plays a character named Amy.