PIC of the Week – The King of Staten Island
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment releases a one-two punch from writer/director Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, 40 Year-Old Virgin) and Pete Davidson (SNL, Big Time Adolescence) with The King of Staten Island. Once again, Davidson’s character is struggling to grow up, as he did in Big Time Adolescence, but this time his journey is far more dramatic and impactful. That’s not to say the film is absent of comedy. Apatow, Davidson, and SNL writer Dave Sirus have developed a somewhat relatable story that may turn off some in the beginning, but as Davidson’s character continues to grow you will find that it’ll make you laugh out loud, warms your heart, have you reflect and shed a tear or two.
Davidson plays Scott Carlin, a 24 year-old character so close to Pete it’s nearly painful to watch at times. Carlin’s father was a fireman who died on the job when Scott was seven years-old. All Scott has are the good and goofy memories of his father and a ton of resentment that he left life so early on. Scott suffers from Crohn’s disease, struggles with ADHD, has extremely low self esteem, and generally feels he’s no good for anybody with his mood swings and fits of rage (very much associated with the actor himself).
Now, with all of this going on one may think it difficult to turn the film comical. It’s not all fun and games, but life has a way of making things look not as bad when we look back, and see if we’ve improved upon what we started with. This is the big difference between this film and Big Time Adolescence. To be fair, Davidson was not the actual star in that movie and the lead did improve while leaving Davidson’s character stagnate.
Scott Carlin’s sister, Claire, is leaving to go to college and this sets up the strain of the relationship between him and his mom, Margie, played by the delightful Marisa Tomei. Claire insists that Scott behave and not give his mother grief. She’s not asking him to take care of her. Obviously, that would be too much of a responsibility for Scott. This man-child is not easy to like in the beginning. He’s a selfish, abusive, irresponsible stoner that has dreams of opening up a tattoo restaurant – wait till you hear what he wants to call it. Does he make us laugh with his antics? Yeah, at times, and at other times he had me gasp at his stupidity.
Hit hardest by all this is Margie, a nurse who works at both a school and an emergency room to make ends meet, who has not dated in 17 years since the passing of her husband, and seems to have taken on the job of still trying to raise Scott. She almost feels like an empty nester now that her little girl has flown away, but her son continues to weigh her down like a lead anchor, until Scott once again does something stupid and sets off a very strange set of events. This time though he has inadvertently set into motion his mom’s love life, much to his dismay.
Margie’s new beau-to-be is, of all things, a fireman, like his dad. This freaks Scott out and he’s determined to put the brakes on everything before it goes any further. At this point, the film could have taken the easy way out as so many low-brow comedies do. But, this is far from that genre. The writers and director Apatow are determined not to deliver caricatures, instead they give us real, grounded people that we laugh with, not laugh at. We sympathize with everybody in Scott’s crazed orbit that he sends into a frenzy and eventually we care for Scott as well.
Aside from the writing, the ensemble of actors works well with one another. Marisa Tomei goes from wall flower to blossoming mature beauty. Her frustration with both men in her life is heartfelt and if anything she is the one we are constantly cheering on. Maude Apatow as Scott’s younger and more mature sister, Claire, can be annoying, charming and disarming, while comedian Bill Burr as Ray Bishop is perfect as the rough-around-the-edges prospective boyfriend for Margie. He’s funny, aggravating, and sincere. Burr wears the fireman persona well and we feel his patience wearing thin with Scott’s antics. There’s also a plethora of personalties that pepper nearly every scene including Scott’s on-again-off-again girlfriend Kelsey played with wonderful quirkiness by Bel Powley, reminding me of a cross between Zooey Deschanel and a young Marisa Tomei. And, you can’t help find the charm of Staten Island with actors like Moises Arias, Carly Aquilino, Steve Buscemi and the rest of the cast.
Then there’s Pete Davidson as Scott Carlin. Misunderstood by everybody including himself. It’s rare to see an actor play someone so close to the bone and Davidson pulls it off with great aplomb. We laugh at his shenanigans, wince at his stupidity, and actually care for him as he attempts to turn a corner and be a better person. I once compared Davidson’s performance from Big Time Adolescence to James Dean, and I’ll reiterate that with this film. I’ve yet to see anyone of this generation display the kind of angst, frustration and capture the fragility and struggle of youth that I have seen Davidson convey.
For such a modest story, this blu-ray delivers an excellent picture. It is sharp, crisp, and the colors capture the true moods of so many diverse scenes from the basement of the firehouse to frat parties and the warm textures of a grade school. Nothing is lost with the picture on this blu-ray, even dark scenes are well defined. Although, there is one jarring sexual scene that is rather stark. Not sure if that was intentional, if so the shock value was definitely there.
The Dolby Atmos track offers a variety of pluses. From the winning soundtrack that will be many a fan favorite to the rich dialogue which is very important for a film like this. Clarity plays a priority here. The fire, explosions, frat party, gunfire in a pharmacy and even a baseball game are beautifully recreated. The experience of everyone of those events is completely immersive.
Wow, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has packed this blu with plenty of special features including an alternate ending – that didn’t work according to filmmakers. Check out the bonuses;
• Alternate Endings (Which Didn’t Work): Included are Family Breakfast and Career Day.
• Deleted Scenes: Included are Drive to Cemetery/Cemetery, Beach Walk, Zoots/Pepe Fight, Grounders Challenge, Scott at Work, Police at Richie’s House, Sound Machine, Ray Picks Up Kids from Gina’s House, Construction, and Firefighters at Bar.
• Gag Reel
• Line-O-Rama: Alternate take lines from several scenes
• The Kid from Staten Island: A look at Pete Davidson’s real life and how it shaped the movie’s narrative
• Judd Apatow’s Production Diaries
• You’re Not My Dad: Working with Bill Burr
• Margie Knows Best: Working with Marisa Tomei
• Friends with Benefits: Working with Bel Powley
• Sibling Rivalry: Working with Maude Apatow
• Best Friends: Working with Ricky, Moises & Lou
• Papa: Working with Steve Buscemi
• Friends of Firefighters Stand-Up Benefit
• Scott Davidson Tribute: In honor of Pete Davidson’s father, a firefighter who lost his life on 9/11
• Official Trailer
• Who Is Pete Davidson?
• The Firehouse: A look at the authentic firehouse scenes, including a discussion of Steve Buscemi’s real life work as a firefighter
• Pete’s Casting Recs: Casting some of Pete’s real-life friends to act in the film
• Pete’s “Poppy” (Grandpa) Pete’s real-life grandfather makes a cameo
• Video Calls: Some online chitchat in the Coronavirus world. Included are Video Call #1: Pete Gets Judd to Release the Movie, Video Call #2: Pete Asks Judd Where the Trailer Is, Video Call #3: Judd and Pete Tell Bill Burr There’s No Premiere and Video Call #4: Judd and Pete on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Audio Commentary: Director/Co-Writer Judd Apatow and Actor/Co-Writer Pete Davidson explore the film, reaching more into the nitty-gritty moviemaking details. The track recorded via Skype
The King of Staten Island may be abrasive at times, but the overall film is a touching tribute to firefighters, an ode to the growing and maturing of both males and females while continuously making us laugh. In other words, Judd Apatow and his writers have conjured a feel good film that makes you want to rewatch it over and over again. Making this one a keeper for anyone’s library.
Lowest Price – $21.99 – Amazon and Best Buy
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
