Movie review: Amy Schumer keeps ‘Trainwreck’ on a hilarious track

What It’s About

No-filter comic Amy Schumer triumphs in her big-screen debut in “Trainwreck,” a hilarious and surprisingly touching romantic comedy.

You expect the modern funny girl, star of “Inside Amy Schumer” on Comedy Central, to produce an unconventional, outrageous story, and she delivers that. But what’s unexpected is the underlying sweetness below the salty surface, not just in her self-destructive character’s first serious romantic relationship but also in interactions with her cantankerous, ailing dad (an uproarious Colin Quinn).

Schumer plays a variation of her stand-up persona, a flawed 20-something who talks candidly about sex and isn’t afraid to poke sacred cows. She exploits gender differences and male-female dating rituals for laughs. She dares to go where others have only tip-toed around, and flaunts her flaws.

Amy works as a writer for a brazen metropolitan magazine, whose shameless, haughty editor (Tilda Swinton) assigns her a story interviewing sports doctor extraordinaire Aaron Conners (Bill Hader). They hit it off, and are enjoying each other’s company so much Amy is worried about monogamy, something she has avoided her entire adult life.

Trouble at work, a rocky relationship with her happily married sister (Brie Larson) and taking care of her dad’s needs get to be too much, and she typically makes a mess of things with Aaron.

How she works through the trigger-points of her life not only makes for a jolly good time, but announces a bold new voice in the not-so-funny movie-making business.

Performances

The versatile Bill Hader, one of the best-ever players on “Saturday Night Live,” shows yet another dimension of his abilities as the charming love interest.

He holds his own against the force of nature that is Schumer, the current “It Girl” who shows a natural ability to easily convey feelings. Could there be a gooey center underneath her tough shell? Just so darn likable, you root for them — and they have palpable chemstry.

The brilliant casting of comedians and athletes gives the film a terrific advantage. LeBron James is a hoot as a variation of himself — a cheapskate buddy and client of Aaron, who can get all “Dr. Phil” when it comes to his pal.

John Cena, the former Marine-wrestler turned action star, fearlessly rocks a gym-rat socially awkward guy with hysterical results — everyone will talk about LeBron’s astonishing turn, but Cena’s performance as one of Amy’s boyfriends is equally memorable.

Comic Mike Birbiglia (“Sleepwalk with Me”) is good as the bland nice-guy brother-in-law who gets under Amy’s skin.

In the workplace, Swinton is a gem as the clueless, ridiculous self-important editor. The interesting young actor Ezra Miller, unforgettable as Swinton’s son in “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” plays an ambitious magazine intern. Another SNL player, Vanessa Bayer, is funny as Amy’s scattered co-worker.

What Works

Schumer wrote the screenplay, and shows real talent for bringing out the humor in everyday situations. Director Judd Apatow, a living comedy legend, has had a few not-so-steady turns in recent years — “This Is 40” and “Funny People” — but gets it right here. “Trainwreck” is sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy.

What Doesn’t Work

Schumer can be polarizing — her fearless ability to take on previous taboo subjects is her calling card, and if you bristle at that kind of humor, well, this isn’t going to change your opinion. It’s ribald and explicit.

While it gets a little wobbly towards the finale, “Trainwreck” is an enjoyable rom-com, a merry take on modern connections that won’t disappoint Schumer’s growing legion of fans. But it is definitely for mature audiences only.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Movie review: Amy Schumer keeps ‘Trainwreck’ on a hilarious track."