The Year of Amy Schumer hit the big screen this week, and unlike so many failed Saturday Night Live skit expansions and the first 15 years of Chris Rock’s movie career, this is a natural and fitting progression. Schumer is no mere viral comedian, not just another woman on the street asking sex questions—though honestly that would be enough—she is a legitimate actor. Judd Apatow (“of all people” optional) directs a script written by his star based on her own life with her MS-afflicted father (here in the form of Colin Quinn, insisting to his children as he’s walking out the door that “monogamy is not realistic”) and much more responsible sister Kim (Brie Larson), who is married (to Mike Birbiglia; every role here is impeccably cast) with a son and a baby on the way. Amy (Schumer) is what in other Apatow movies would be called a “man-child,” a drinking/drugging/sexing fuck-up suspended in adolescence. Following the Apatow template is one of Trainwreck’s few mistakes—the others are allowing professional athletes speaking roles and a 125-minute run time—but pitting Schumer against Bill Hader in love interest form is smart and surprisingly sweet. Amy panics when love is suddenly standing in front of her, but Aaron won’t run. It’s great. As is the closing hip-hop dance number. It’s not close to groundbreaking as anything she’s done on her show, but Trainwreck adds another dimension to an exciting performer.
