The King of Staten Island

Which I am, you will most certainly relate to at least one part of this movie, and that in itself makes it worthy of a watch.

I have never been a Pete Davidson fan, and when I've seen him on SNL in recent years, I never thought he was funny--or I thought maybe I was too old to find his comedy style appealing. I did feel sympathy for him, as I know he has dealt with depression in recent years. I think "The King of Staten Island" taps into this, and Pete's lead character, Scott, seems closely based on his own experiences. Davidson co-wrote the screenplay; Judd Apatow directs. The film is polished and features a solid cast of veteran actors (Marisa Tomei, Steve Buscemi, Bill Burr) to support the young star.

Like Davidson, Scott's father was a firefighter who died when he was a young boy. Scott seems lost and aimless; he smokes a lot of pot; has an awkward on-and-off relationship with a neighborhood girl; and he doesn't know what to do with his life, other than possibly becoming a tattoo artist. He has artistic talent. Scott resents that his widowed mother has begun seeing a divorced firefighter, and the two men clash.

"The King of Staten Island" felt very relatable and authentic, and it focuses on a subject that has been overlooked by Hollywood in recent years---the "forgotten" working- or lower-middle class white young men searching for some meaning in their lives, some direction and purpose. Many, like the main character here, turn to drugs because they really don't know what else to do.

Scott's firefighter father died in the line of work--just as Davidson's firefighter father died on 9/11. He needs a father figure, a male role model -- and our society seems to scoff at this idea these days. Staten Island is a typical middle-class/working-class, mostly white/Italian/Irish sort of community where the residents are hard-working, family-oriented people, but nothing like the glitzy, snooty hipsters a ferry ride away in Manhattan or Brooklyn. There used to be so many great American movies about people just like Scott and his family--"Working Girl," "Nobody's Fool" and "Beautiful Girls" just off the top of my head. Recently, Hollywood seems uninterested in their stories. Yet Scott's story seems universal.

The most inspiring scenes in "The King of Staten Island" take place in the firehouse where Scott's father once worked. The firefighters are white and black, male and female, and they all work and eat and laugh together as a sort of family. Here, we see the beating heart of community, and we see the value of hard work and service. Buscemi was a NYC firefighter in real life, another element that lends "The King of Staten Island" authenticity.

Davidson does a fine job in a comic/dramatic starring role as a lost, goofy, horny young guy who doesn't really know how to take the next steps to becoming a man. He may be playing himself in many ways, but his performance hits the mark. Overall, a very touching, inspiring movie that you should watch.

This film is a true gem. I went into it not expecting much, but I was disappointed when the movie was over. Not many films I've seen recently left me feeling that way; especially Davidson's previous film "Big Time Adolescence". "The King of Staten Island" was funny, heartfelt, and raw at times. Personally, I've always felt like Pete Davidson was the least funny member of SNL, but this film opened my eyes to what he was about as a person and where his comedy stemmed from. I appreciate that the film doesn't pretend to be something different than what it is - Pete's semi-biographical story brought to life by a comedy directing/producing pro, Judd Apatow. The supporting cast of Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, and Steve Buscemi bring some pretty great performances to the table as well. Great story about that weird part of life in your early twenties where you're still not really sure what you're doing or where you're going on life's journey. It deals with living through loss, growing up and finding out your purpose in the world. I will recommend this to friends!

I have followed Judd and Pete's careers pretty closely so naturally I was exited to see this movie. I wanted to see it in theaters but renting it for 20 dollars in my living room was my only option for now.

Pete has proved himself to be a funny guy and a competent actor, and even though he's playing a similar character to his role in Big Time Adolescence, this is a big step forward in his career.

I think this movie will probably receive criticism for not being as funny as some of Judd Appatows other movies, but I don't think this movie was aiming for a the same thing as Superbad and The 40 year old virgin. Judd often talks about how the key to making a good comedy is to make a good drama and add humor to it, this is the perfect example.

Pete's story is intriguing and feels completely worthy of a movie like this. Some people wanting a non stop laugh fest maybe not like it, and it does have flaws, but I really enjoyed it.

This is probably Judds best movie in 10 years. And I highly recommend giving it a watch.

You can't watch this movie without patience, it is a really really slow burn. But unlike blockbuster trash that's constantly served - everything serves a purpose to the plot. Life is not a 90 minute show. And this movie isn't about runtime or show. It has a message, it has motif, and it feels like reading a classic. Great, honest job.