The comedy mega-producer Judd Apatow returned with the recent VOD release of his sixth movie as a director with The King of Staten Island. The movie stars Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson as a young man living an aimless life on Staten Island who struggles with his mother dating a new man.
The film is largely inspired by Davidson's own life including the death of his firefighter father at a young age and his struggles with his mental health. Like many of Apatow's work, the film features an impressive ensemble of actors who help bring humor and emotion to the story with their terrific performances.
10 Moisés Arias As Igor
Scott Carlin (Davidson) spends most of his time smoking weed with his equally stunted friends, including Igor (Moisés Arias). Igor is a bit of an unusual guy who is soft-spoken, kind, and perhaps a little more level-headed than his friends.
He is a nice contrast to the rest of the group and Arias brings a strange innocence to the role that works quite well. He is the punchline for a lot of the other characters but he also feels like a vital member of the team.
9 Lou Wilson As Richie
Also in that strange group of friends is Richie, played by Lou Wilson. Among the friend characters, Richie probably has the least amount of screentime, but Wilson brings a fun energy to the part.
He has an easy chemistry with Davidson and the other actors as well as a great sense of comedic delivery. He is particularly funny in the moments when he criticizes Davidson's tattoo work, specifically the portrait of Barack Obama.
8 Pamela Adlon As Gina
Once Ray Bishop (Bill Burr) begins dating Scott's mom, Scott is forced to walk Ray's kids to school as a way of helping out around the house. He also meets Gina, Ray's ex-wife, who perhaps hates Ray even more than Scott does.
Pamela Adlon has already proven she can play the put-upon single mother to great effect in the series Better Things. She brings that same sort of persona to this role, which is a small but layered take on the ex-wife trope. Adlon sells the bitterness of the character while also making the audience sympathize with her.
7 Maude Apatow As Claire
While Scott can't seem to get his life together at all, his younger sister Claire is thriving and heading off to college. Even though she is younger, Claire is the more mature sibling and constantly worries about her wayward brother.
Judd Apatow's own daughter Maude Apatow is great in the role and delivers that grounded attitude the character needs. She balances the frustration towards Scott and their sibling squabbling with Claire's genuine love for her family.
6 Ricky Velez As Oscar
Oscar (Ricky Velez) seems to be the leader of the dysfunctional group of Staten Island friends. He is a small-time drug dealer with a tough edge. But when it comes to his friends, he appears to really care about them and looks out for them.
Velez brings a fun energy to the role, making Oscar feel like a bit of a wildcard. He mixes a little bit of menace into the comedic role, making Oscar a reckless man who nevertheless has a big heart.
5 Bel Powley As Kelsey
While the film deals with a lot of other aspects in Scott's life, his romance with Kelsey is a central part of his story. Scott and Kelsey are childhood friends who still hang out together and have sex despite never progressing their relationship any further.
Bel Powley brings a lot of nuance to a character that could have felt quite one-note. Kelsey loves Scott and wants to be with him, but she also has more ambitions than he does. She is hilarious, heartbreaking, and honest at various times throughout the film.
4 Steve Buscemi As Papa
Part of the story involves Scott coming to terms with the death of his father, a firefighter. This includes bonding with Ray, a fellow firefighter, and getting to know the people he works with. The paternal figure of the crew is a veteran named Papa.
Steve Buscemi, who was a firefighter in real-life, fills the role of the wise leader perfectly. Papa can be both the stern boss while also offering comforting words and real emotion. Buscemi is funny and touching in the part.
3 Marisa Tomei As Margie
Once his sister heads off to college, Scott is left at home with his mother, Margie. She is a caring mother who wants to bond with her son, but she also pushes him to find a worthwhile path in life. Margie is a woman who, having lost her husband years earlier, still struggles to put herself out there.
Marisa Tomei embraces the opportunity to really shine in this role. She plays the tough and loving caregiver very well, but her best scenes are the moments of romance with Ray. She is awkward and unsure of herself but also enjoying moving on with her life.
2 Bill Burr As Ray
The main story of the film comes down to the combative relationship between Scott and Ray. Their first meeting is not ideal as Ray angrily confronts Scott about tattooing his young son. From there, the two struggle with Ray dating Margie, and Scott trying to push him out of her life.
Comedian Bill Burr gets probably his most significant acting role to date and really delivers. His sarcastic and sharp sense of humor brings big laughs. He shows his soft side in his romance with Margie and his gradual bonding with Scott.
1 Pete Davidson As Scott
Anyone who has seen Davidson on SNL know that he has unique energy as a performer. It remained to be seen if he could carry a movie on his own, but this performance proves that he has what it takes to be a star.
Davidson's goofy comedic persona works wonderfully for this character and he is hilarious throughout the film. The real surprise is how well he handles the dramatic aspects of the role. He plays Scott with a sense of sadness at all times, even when cracking jokes. He embraces the flaws of the character and allows himself to tell this personal story with honesty.
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