Trainwreck
Director: Judd Apatow
Stars: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson
Duration: 125 mins
Class: 15
KRS Releasing Ltd

“Monogamy isn’t realistic!” affirms Gordon (Colin Quinn) to his two young daughters at the end of an unconvincing – though hilarious – attempt at defending his actions after cheating on their mother. That speech has two defining consequences: in younger daughter Kim, he instils a quiet resentment towards him, while older daughter Amy takes his credo to heart.

Fast forward 23 years and Amy (Amy Schumer), now in her 30s, goes out of her way to be anything but a monogamist. She is brash, crass and unapologetically hurtles through life, writing for a hard-edged men’s magazine (featuring articles with creatively smutty titles) and spending most of her evenings on a series of brief, often booze-fuelled, one-night stands (unbeknown to her sort-of boyfriend Steven), avoiding intimacy like the plague.

When she is tasked with interviewing sports doctor Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), the two make an instant connection and, as the relationship gets more serious, Amy’s instinctive reaction is to run a mile in the opposite direction as she wonders whether she is capable of leaving her hedonistic lifestyle behind and finally grow up.

If, at first glance, Trainwreck choo-choos down the track of the typical rom-com it is soon clear that Schumer’s script – directed by comedy master Judd Apatow – subverts many of the genre’s tropes while simultaneously embracing them.

It is refreshing to witness a story from the point of view of an out-going, unapologetically sexual woman, while placing a rather straight-laced man opposite her. That we are introduced to a new, funny and smart comedy player is an added bonus.

One of the best comedies of the year

In a career spanning just over 10 years, comedian Schumer has slowly but surely built her way up to the major leagues, culminating in the huge success of her sketch comedy television series Inside Amy Schumer which is built on her fresh, funny and very raw blend of comedy.

Schumer is a force of nature both as a writer/director and character. Her behaviour may be a little over the top and yes, promiscuous, but her behaviour is an integral part of who she is initially, and few, if any, of the lewd jokes miss their mark.

At the same time, Schumer and Apatow do not shy away from displaying genuine heart in the relationships between the characters – whether that between Amy and Aaron or the equally important one with her irascible father (Colin Quinn) and conventional sister Kim (Brie Larson).

And it is down to Schumer’s on-the-nose writing and her unflinching honesty in portraying aspects of her own life that in between the laugh-out-loud moments the serious moments are played with genuine feeling and you can’t stop the warmth, fuzziness and silly smile that creep up on you by the end credits.

Schumer is bolstered by an impressive cast. Bill Hader is adorably dorky as her love interest; a slightly timid man whose funny side is irrevocably brought out by her. Brie Larson is sympathetic and grounded as Amy’s sister Kim; Colin Quinn as their dad hits the funny notes from the get-go with the afore-mentioned speech while, despite his illness, he continues to rub up his children the wrong way with his brutally honest observations about their lives

Being a sports doctor, Aaron has a coterie of friends from the sports world (cue various cameos from famous stars including basketball greats Amar’E Stoudemire and Lebron James – the latter really funny as a Downton Abbey-loving, relationship advice-giving yet stingy version of himself).

I was surprised to learn that Steven, Amy’s hilariously clueless boyfriend is played by John Cena, a wrestling superstar. The exceptional supporting cast is rounded off by a completely unrecognisable Tilda Swinton – complete with California tan, super-coiffed highlighted hair and heavy makeup – having a blast in what is probably one of her funniest roles ever as Amy’s aggressive British boss Dianne.

It is the first time Apatow is directing a script that he himself did not write. Yet, it is a story that fits in perfectly with his uniquely funny and accurate look at the foibles of life. He has delivered one of the best comedies of the year and in Schumer he has discovered a kindred spirit and a comedic voice I hope we hear more of in future.