Film No. 57 (2015) Trainwreck August 11th.

Film No. 57 (2015) August 11th.  8.30 PM HOYTS Garden City. 

"Your mother and I are getting a divorce, you must realize that monogamy isn't realistic" (Amy's dad emphasizes a key personal foundation for life to his two young daughters who repeat in unison his words as the film opener). 

 

Trainwreck

 

I'm assuming that the title of this very funny film relates to the life Amy (Amy Schumer)is leading as she follows to the letter, her father's rant concerning monogamy. I'm not sure that the title is a good one. Only because we meet a self confident woman working on the sleazy side of tabloid magazine publishing. Other than taking alcohol in quantities more than she should, she seems happy in her own skin. It's not until she meets Dr Aaron (Bill Hader) that she is forced into a more realistic approach to monogamy. It's only a minor quibble.

Inside Amy Schumer is a big hit on pay television at the moment. Her approach to comedy is raw, in ya face and not to everyone's taste. She has written Trainwreck in a similar vein with many scenes playing out like her sketch work. This time, in the careful hands of Judd Apatow, they have woven a love story through the comic set pieces. It works, but then again I'm a fan of Schumer's work, not every one is.

In the same way Apatow worked with Kirsten Wigg in Bridesmaids there is a whole lot to laugh about in Trainwreck. Amy has a boss Dianna (Tilda Swinton) who serves up "off the wall" as only Swinton could. The editorial meetings are hilarious and set the task for Amy to write a story on Dr. Aaron a high profile sports doctor but a doctor with heart. Meanwhile Amy has a semi steady man in Steve (John Cena) who loves himself and his body slightly more than he loves Amy but in a very self effacing way. The cinema scene with Amy and Steve had me in stitches, the type of stitches writers and directors aim for but so often miss.

And then there are the LeBron James (himself) sketches. LeBron is one of Aaron's clients, but is more than just "meat" in the rough and tumble of sports medicine;  LeBron looks out for Dr Aaron in a role reversal. It is clever and James is more than a dab hand around the hoops, he delivers comedy quite brilliantly in Trainwreck. Chris Everet turns up later in the film and looks as so many celebrities do on film, uncomfortable; James shines. If you like the best of Apatow's work and/or you find Schumer's T.V. shows amusing then chances are you'll enjoy Trainwreck, I did. 9GUMS