An American Pickle

An American Pickle is a decent film. You'll get a couple good laughs, and the run time is short enough to not waste your time. The premise (as you already know) is ridiculous, but the movie doesn't take itself too seriously. That's a good thing. At the same time, you'll probably completely forget all about this movie come next Tuesday.

(PS look for the author of this review around the 59 minute mark)

I am baffled by how many people dislike this movie. It deserves at least a 7. It's a brilliant script from Simon Rich (the writer behind "Miracle Workers"), brilliantly acted by Seth Rogen. It made me laugh; it made me tear up; it got me thinking on multiple levels. It's an over-the-top feud movie in the vein of "Tin Men"; it's also a clever satire with heart. Yes, the plot is absurd, but it's a satire! That's the point. If you liked "Tin Men" and/or "Miracle Workers," if you were raised Jewish or with any other religion, if you had immigrant parents, if you like satire, if you simply enjoy thinking and watching intelligent films...you will like this movie. If you just want a dumb comedy, you won't.

Its basic virtue is the large freedom proposed to viewer. The liberty to chose the fair perspective, from nice comedy, clash between generation, best performance of Seth Rogen, decent descending in Jew tradition, sentimental portrait of a life face to new challenges, the life lesson, the nostalgia about lost worlds and irony about present one, the old influence of Hibernatus by Edouard Molinaro . So, generosity as the precious gift .

As others have pointed out this is not your typical Seth Rogen film. This is his attempt to make a fish out of water story in the style of Splash or Big and while he doesn't reinvent the wheel in doing so there were some enjoyable moments. This is obviously meant to be a film which you can watch with you family, it is not vulgar and it focuses on the importance of family values and relationships. There are many moments/jokes in this film that have to do with Judaism which Seth has joked about previously, but here this is much more of a love note to that part of his life. I think maybe some of the negativity being directed at this film is because some people don't understand that aspect of it. They instead are expecting the normal stoner humour Seth Rogen. I think this movie is worth watching if you want to see a different side of Seth and don't mind seeing the things I mentioned.

It is not completely bad movie, the beginning was promising, but then after 15 min the screenplay becomes quite stupid and most importantly, not funny. I liked some other Seth movies, so he can definitely do a better job. Just boring mess...