Trainwreck is a romantic comedy directed by Judd Apatow to a screenplay by Amy Schumer, who also plays in the leading role. The film further features Bill Hader, supported by an ensemble cast that includes Tilda Swinton, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Mike Birbiglia, Vanessa Bayer, John Cena and LeBron James playing a fictionalized version of himself.
While Trainwreck starts with some originality, placing its protagonist, a woman, as a manizer (that is the female equivalent of a womanizer,) a rule typically reserved for men, the film quickly derails into a trivial romantic comedy with a yawning plotline. The story, written by Schumer, is no more than a stage for her to perform standup routines. Granted, those routines are presented throughout the movie’s two long hours in a manner that fits tightly, rather than random bits stitched together.
The acting is quite good and Apatow, a seasoned director for this film genre, directs with a confident hand. But he might just as well been directing it while relaxing in a hot tub, as there is no effort felt whatsoever into making this flick stand out.
For Schumer’s fans Trainwreck will probably be a treat. For others who don’t care much for her style of humor, this ride will feel much like mistakenly taking the local verses the express.
I giggled, even laughed hard on occasion, but when it was all over, this film felt more like a shallow quickie than a one-night stand, let alone a long-term relationship.