Fans of Amy Schumer's brilliant, blisteringly honest stand-up comedy and hilarious Comedy Central show were eagerly awaiting her self-penned, big-screen debut, but does it live up to expectations?
In a word, kinda.
Directed by Judd Apatow, Trainwreck is an above average rom-com that is certainly enjoyable to watch, but hardcore fans may be left feeling a bit let-down by the fairly generic Hollywood formula and somewhat moralising tone.
At least the tables are turned in Trainwreck, where Amy Schumer takes on the role most commonly occupied by a guy – she's a hard-drinking, party-loving commitment-phobe who prefers to play the field rather than settle down. Her parents' divorce following her father's frequent infidelities informed her life choices, while her sister (Brie Larson) went down the more conventional route, marrying and raising a kid.
Amy writes for a morally bankrupt New York glossy magazine, S'nuff, where bitchy Brit editor Dianna, played by an almost unrecognisable Tilda Swinton, orders her to write a feature on Aaron (Bill Hader), a pioneering sports surgeon and all round good-guy.
After their first meeting, Aaron is adorably shocked when Amy invites herself back to his apartment, telling their cab driver that there'll be one stop rather than two. However, he shocks Amy even more when he calls the very next day. Surely he must be butt-dialling her?
This is just the first of Amy's struggles with their courtship, which sees her face up to her intimacy and faithfulness issues.
What starts out as an entertaining depiction of a sexually liberated woman, eventually descends into the typical 'broken-girl who needs to be saved' Hollywood stereotype that we're all too used to seeing.
It's disappointingly preachy, but Amy Schumer and Bill Hader are a delight to watch together, and give the movie buckets of charm. Star basketballer LeBron James also puts in an amusing turn as Aaron's best pal, a penny-pinching, Downton Abbey addict who takes a keen interest in his romantic ventures.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable romp, but Trainwreck's greatest failure, aside from the bloated 125-minute running time, is that it doesn't push the boat out and is just a bit too nice.
Sarah McIntyre
