Judd Apatow unveiled a work-in-progress version of his new film Trainwreck at SXSW, and received an enthusiastic response from fans at the festival.
The film, written by its star, Amy Schumer, focuses on a heavy-drinking, sexually promiscuous journalist whose use-them-and-lose them approach to sexual partners comes into question when she meets and falls for sports doctor Aaron Conners (Bill Hader).
It’s a typical Apatow project with laughs at every turn, but tempered by more serious moments and narrative moves, such as Schumer’s relationship with her father (played by Colin Quinn).
Schumer said the film was drawn from some of her own experiences growing up in New York.
“I was born and raised in New York City, and then we went bankrupt and moved to Long Island,” Schumer explained. “I write everything I write in New York. I can’t imagine having a big kitchen.”
Judd Apatow revealed at the screening that Schumer had originally submitted a different script before he encouraged her to make the project more self-indulgent.
The film’s long list of stars includes Brie Larson, who plays Schumer’s sister Kim, and Tilda Swinton, who is almost unrecognisable as Dianna, the abrasive editor of the gaudy and cynical style magazine S’nuff for which Schumer’s character works.
Australian comic Claudia O’Doherty has a small role, Vanessa Bayer and Ezra Miller play Schumer’s colleagues, and WWE wrestler John Cena plays a love interest. There are funny cameos from basketball stars Lebron James and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Schumer looks set to become the latest star to be given a helping hand from Apatow, who has worked with Melissa McCarthy, Lena Dunham, James Franco and Seth Rogen. Schumer already has a cult following due to her successful show on Comedy Central, but Trainwreck is her first starring role. Her name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Jon Stewart on the Daily Show.
