In 2013, I saw Pete Davidson on Comedy Central's Gotham Comedy Live and I've been telling people to watch this hilarious guy ever since. Pretty much anytime anyone did back then, they would wonder "what's the big deal." For good reason. He's never fulfilled the promise of his talent although he eventually reached popularity through Saturday Night Live and by dating pop star Ariana Grande.
Well, I'm about to do it again; watch this guy in his new movie.
I'm not sure how the guy who can't play straight to character in any SNL skit inhabited the lovable loser in this film, but he's great. The character deserves no sympathy, but you root for him anyway.
Davidson is Scott, a failure-to-launch-24-year old who dreams of being a tattoo artist. His mom is portrayed by Marisa Tomei. His dad, a former firefighter, died heroically.
The script, which Davidson co-wrote, mirrors his own childhood loss; his father was also a fireman, killed on 9/11. Like his early comedy, the humor comes from pain which is likely why this whole thing works. It's a dramedy that plunges Scott into facing grief and adulthood, but there sure are a lot of laughs along the way.
All that to say this Judd Apatow-directed film is the funniest movie of 2020. It may be the only comedy of 2020, but it's great in a way the first Adam Sandler films were. I can't say it's worth the $19.99 "premium VOD" price that it is asking (while theaters aren't fully open), but it is ten-buck worthy. Invite friends over I guess.
In a nutshell: Pete Davidson finally delivers. If you think Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, Knocked Up or Trainwreck are funny, this one goes on that shelf.
Award potential: None.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
