HBO Max's arrival highlights how important streaming has been for new filmmakers and writers worldwide. *An American Pickle* is the first original film released by the service, offering Brandon Trost (in his directorial debut) and Simon Rich (with their feature film screenplay debut) a chance to showcase their abilities. Despite my interest in what they could bring, I was primarily looking forward to Seth Rogen’s dual role. Although he isn't considered one of the greatest actors working today, I consistently find his comedic performances enjoyable, most recently in *Long Shot* and *The Lion King*. Given its premise, which seemed ripe for delivering plenty of laughs, how did it turn out? I was surprised by the grounded and “realistic” approach that Trost and Rich ultimately took. The first twenty minutes suggested a completely absurd story where unusual events would unfold. I really enjoyed everything up until the title card appeared and a few moments afterward. Herschel’s life goals, his relationship with his lover, what led to him being brined for a century, the (technically impressive) “scientific” explanation given after he's found alive and unchanged—all of it is ridiculous, but that’s what one might expect from such an outlandish concept. It’s important to remember that having the wrong expectations – unrealistic, overhyped, or nonsensical – can quickly ruin your experience. *An American Pickle* has a strange narrative because it builds upon a bizarre idea. That's what makes it so amusing: the possibilities are limitless as long as those in charge are creative enough. This is why I was somewhat disappointed that Rich couldn’t have pushed the story further, both regarding the characters and the plot itself. In fact, my immediate thought after the credits rolled was “is that all there is?” Throughout the film, viewers are presented with only two characters who aren't fully developed. Herschel is a man out of step with his time, but his determination and strong work ethic allow him to overcome every obstacle. Ben, on the other hand, struggles to get his product or idea accepted, but he doesn’t possess the same drive as his great-grandfather. This leads to a repetitive cycle where Herschel succeeds, and Ben becomes jealous and tries to sabotage that success. Each repetition diminishes the humor, entertainment value, and believability (I can accept most plot points, but some are simply too absurd for the world they inhabit). The comedic moments largely revolve around Herschel and, as expected, his outdated understanding of culture. It’s inevitable that he'll say something inappropriate, particularly concerning religion, racism, and other sensitive topics—the very jokes that I found myself laughing at the most. Some viewers may even be offended by a few of those jokes. While Rich’s screenplay lacks some of the imagination a premise like this demands (relying too much on stereotypes and easy laughs), it's still a decent start considering this is his first feature film writing credit. Trost does a commendable job, especially in handling two characters portrayed by the same actor, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them collaborate again. Ultimately, Rogen’s double performance stands out, and that’s why I’m giving the movie a positive review. He embodies these characters so convincingly that at times I thought the film was written and directed by him; it feels like a personal project, something I could easily imagine as a Seth Rogen production. He's funny when he needs to be, and genuinely serious when the situation calls for it. I don’t view this as primarily a comedy because, in the end, it’s more of a touching story about family and why it should matter so much to everyone. Overall, *An American Pickle* surprisingly adopts a grounded perspective on the “man out of time” concept, emphasizing the message about "family," despite its completely outlandish premise. The initial act establishes a hilariously ridiculous yet logical narrative that unfortunately doesn’t quite reach its full potential. Debutants Brandon Trost and Simon Rich do an adequate job with the story, but Rich could have explored the main characters more deeply, ultimately owing thanks to Seth Rogen for his remarkable double performance. The style of humor present in the movie may not appeal to everyone, but it certainly resonated with me, even though its impact lessened as the film progressed. Its comedy is at its best when it explores Herschel’s outdated cultural limitations. It's a short, fast-paced story, featuring music by Nami Melumad (with themes written by Michael Giacchino), that anyone can enjoy as long as they manage their expectations. Rating: B-

Source on TMDB