The comedy genre throughout the last two decades have been dominated by writer, producer, actor, and director Judd Apatow. Odds are you have probably seen one of his films he has been involved in throughout the years including Anchorman, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Trainwreck, This is 40, and numerous other films that have made us all laugh and jump start the careers of our favorite comedians. Now its Pete Davidson's turn to receive the Judd Apatow treatment. If your are not familiar with Pete Davidson's work or stories, he is currently a cast member for Saturday Night Live and the recent ex-lover of Ariana Grande. In this new film co-written by Davidson and Apatow, we see Davidson at the closest version to himself in this semi-autobiography entitled The King Of Staten Island. . Davidson plays Scott Carlin, a 24-year old slacker, stoner, tattoo artist, who spends his days goofing off with friends, and simultaneously going through depression. When he was younger his father, a firefighter, passed away in a terrible fire accident saving two people from a burning hotel, loosely based on Davidson's father who tragically passed away on September 11th. When Scott's mom Margie, played by Marisa Tomei, starts dating a new fireman named Ray played by Bill Burr, he starts to think about more how he needs to find a passion for himself and overall get his life in order. Without the help of his sister Claire, played by Maude Apatow, who moved to College and his best friend/on and off again girlfriend Kelsey, played by Bel Powley, who attempts to move on from him, Scott does not know how to grow up, and with the idea of Ray taking over his mom's life. he does not know where to begin and even who to trust. Some points him and Ray do not see eye to eye, yet they both continue to grow fond of each other as they teach the other to become a better person. As of now, this film was one of the best films of the year, granted I know there has not really been much out or to watch, but when we look back on the year of film and even the decade 10 years from now, this film will probably be in everyone's top ten. The script, as mentioned previously written by Davidson and Apatow, is one of the smartest scripts of Apatow's films and is without question his best film to date. It hits every form of emotion possible from laughing to tense and finally sad, I guarantee their will be a moment in the film where you will tear up. I am personally not the biggest fan of Pete Davidson, I love his material on Saturday Night Live, but however I was not crazy about his most recent stand-up, and overall, this film made me a fan for life. I loved how he was not afraid to be open about his feelings with certain things such as his depression, the lost of his father, and his trust into new people in his life, which brings a true sense of realism into the story. I am glad it was not a true bio-pic where Davidson's character becomes a stand-up comedian at the end, and more about a version of himself that is looking for a reason to grow up. The chemistry among Davidson and his co-stars including the firemen of Ray's Unit, lead by Steve Buscemi, bring the sense of true brotherhood. On top of Davidson's performance, Marisa Tomei gives an outstanding performance as his mother that you emphasize with and also fear in a sort of way. Apatow's camera-work and direction shows efficiently the true main character of the film, Staten Island, and how some find ways to leave the island, how some stay in their usual spot, and most importantly how others find ways to grow. Also, a factor that must be pointed out is the soundtrack of the film, you can tell Davidson personally picked the songs that work extremely well with the nature of each scene. The King Of Statent Island honestly made me miss the theaters all too much, it would have been so fun to watch this with a roomful of people and experience all the emotions together. Hopefully it attracts Oscar buzz for a film that takes the crown as one of the best films of the year.
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