You know, I liked this movie more than I ever would have thought. I’ve disliked nearly everything Pete Davidson has done on Saturday Night Live, seeing him as, at best, a one-note stand-up jammed into a show where the best he can do is look sleepy and break in nearly every sketch.
Yet this movie, a semi-autobiography as Davidson’s father was also a firefighter who died on 9/11, was moving and well-done.
It’s not without its problems. Like every Judd Apatow movie, there’s no reason for it to be two hours and sixteen minutes. The guy has no idea how to end a movie on time.
Marisa Tomei again shows why she really did deserve that Oscar and wow, Bill Burr was a revelation. The guy is so natural and perfect here, as is Bel Powley as Davidson’s love interest.
Pamela Adlon, who plays Burr’s ex-wife, is actually the voice of Bobby Hill on King of the Hill, which is a shock. And Steve Buscemi, who was a firefighter while beginning his acting career, is great as usual.
I was expecting a self-indulgent mess and got a thoughtful film. I promise not to judge Davidson so harshly in the future.
2 thoughts on “The King of Staten Island (2020)”
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Miss opportunity: Marisa Tomei was on Seinfeld, Sam.
I agree, I liked this movie, too. Apatow’s movies are too long but I think it’s a reasonable price to pay for what has become his signature style of building a heartfelt, emotional story on top of a genre comedy. I remember not being crazy about This Is 40, but liked Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, Funny People and Trainwreck.