Trainwreck (2015)

"Monogamy isn't realistic!"
"I didn't understand that word at the time but now, I know exactly what he was talking about."

Amy Townsend (Schumer) is a successful writer for S'Nuff magazine.  She is focused on her job and sleeps with whoever she wants, but doesn't stay overnight.  Growing up her father, Gordon (Quinn), continually told her and and her sister Kim (Larson) that "monogamy isn't realistic" and encouraged them to avoid commitment and getting hurt.  Gordon has M.S. and is living in an assisted living facility, while Amy and Kim go through his house and try to find a way to support him.  Kim is happily married to Tom (Birbiglia) and the supportive step-mother of his son Allister (Evan Brinkman).  Despite their differences the sisters are close.

Amy's domineering boss Dianna (Swinton) assigns her a story about athletic surgeon Dr. Aaron Conners (Hader).  Amy knows nothing about sports and doesn't want to do the article, but wants a promotion and moves forward with the article.  After her latest relationship ends, she has drinks with Aaron and sparks fly.  The more time they spend together, the more Amy starts to question her views on relationships.  Will she choose monogamy or kick it to the curb?


Amy Schumer is a big deal right now.  She has a successful stand-out show and her own sketch show on Comedy Central Inside Amy Schumer.  I have seen a few clips from her show, and don't love her style... but her interviews are entertaining.  This film was popular in theaters and I have been eager to see it.

Schumer wrote the script, at least partially based on fact (she has a sister named Kim and her father has M.S.).  Judd Apatow likes her work and was impressed with the screenplay and signed on direct the film (this is the first film he has directed that he didn't write).  The scripts alternates between brutal comedy and emotional moments, mostly regarding her family.

The cast is good.  Schumer takes the lead, with SNL alum Bill Hader.  Hader can do a little bit of everything, and here he is the romantic lead while still getting some understated comedy.  Tilda Swinton is almost unrecognizable as Amy's cutthroat boss Dianna, but nails the role.  SNL alum Colin Quinn is great as Amy's unfiltered father.  Brie Larson and Mike Birbiglia are good sports as Amy's sister and brother-in law.  But the real breakouts are John Cena and LeBron James.  Cena is best known as a wrestler for the WWE, but is also a talented comedy actor.  This year he appeared in 3 comedy films: this one, Sisters, and Daddy's Home.  He is ridiculous here and game for everything Schumer throws his way.  Basketball star LeBron James plays a version of himself that is sensitive and loves Downton Abbey and is Aaron's best friend.  He is great, especially his scenes with Hader.

Schumer's humor isn't for everyone.  There is a lot of sex and cursing in the film, but if you can get past that, it is a funny film with a great cast.

Trainwreck (2015) 125 minutes
Rating: R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Amy Schumer as Amy Townsend
Bill Hader as Dr. Aaron Conners
Brie Larson as Kim
Tilda Swinton as Dianna
Colin Quinn as Gordon Townsend
John Cena as Steven
Mike Birbiglia as Tom
Jon Glaser as Schultz
Vanessa Bayer as Nikki
Ezra Miller as Donald
LeBron James as LeBron James