Time and time again we have seen the typical, formulaic romantic comedy, but Amy Schumer brings us a new, gut-busting look at the “rom-com.”

“Trainwreck” (Rated R; 125 min) directed by Judd Apatow, brings together a stellar cast, hilarious dialogue and solid direction to culminate as one of the best comedies in recent memory.

Advertisement

Growing up with a “monogamy isn’t realistic” preaching father, Amy Townsend, played by Schumer, finds herself moving through meaningless relationships, never having the desire to really settle down.

However, when avid sports-hating Amy is assigned a magazine profile on sports doctor Aaron Conners, played by Bill Hader, she finds a new set of feelings she did not expect. She begins to see Aaron like she has never seen a partner before and this newfound experience causes Amy to question the entirety of her situation.

Amy is not afraid to let the audience know who she is or what she thinks. Descriptions of sexual encounters come with vivid frankness. If Amy dislikes something, even something as conventional as sports or sleeping with someone after sex, she lets the audience take full note. Many of these situations lead to some of the funniest dialogue in the film.

Directed by renowned comedy filmmaker Apatow, “Trainwreck” does not merely aim for being ordinary, but strives to be a step above. And thankfully, the film does not disappoint. In addition to the witty and often explicit script written by the film’s leading-lady, “Trainwreck” is not afraid to take on an emotional theme or serious situation.

Amy and her sister Kim, played by Brie Larson, have a complicated relationship with their father, played by Colin Quinn. When Amy and Kim have to move their father, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, to an assisted living center, we find that Kim does not share many of the same sentimental feelings toward her father that her sister exhibits. While neither sister believes her father to be saintly, Amy holds a much fonder connection.

This theme of the unflattering father versus caring daughter and resentful daughter relationship sets the film apart from most comedies. Amy and Kim’s differing views of their father is, in many ways, the primary source of conflict in the film and the film’s key driver of emotion.

Despite the film’s many strong points, it has a rather typical ending for a romantic comedy. I will refrain from saying more for the sake of spoilers. While the ending is not necessarily bad, it does not do anything surprising and, in comparison to the rest of the film, falls short.

Advertisement*

Schumer has been creating a lot of buzz in the entertainment world lately with her Comedy Central series “Inside Amy Schumer,” which wrapped up its third season earlier this month. The show has often been praised for its hilarious skits which often tackle themes dealing with the role of women in media.

Whether or not you are familiar with Schumer, as I was not until recently, “Trainwreck” is a film sure to solidify her presence in the world of comedy for years to come.

4.5 out of 5 stars