Grief is not a simple experience or one that we all experience in the same way. The loss of someone fundamental can shake the entire foundation of a person, especially if it is at a very young age, and it can take a long time to rebuild them. Some may have their entire youth turned upside down because they don’t know their place or how to get over the loss.
No future, but with tattoos
That’s what it’s about one of the brightest and most emotional comedies of recent years, where Pete Davidson turns over some of his personal experiences and lets Judd Apatow tell them in that key that is so personal and, at the same time, highly indebted to the eighties dramatic comedy by James L. Brooks. Those touches make ‘El rey del barrio’ very special.
The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. But beware, because will be available until November 18, this Friday. We let you know in advance so you don’t miss this gem about lost youth, mental health, acceptance and the feasibility of setting up a business that combines a restaurant and a tattoo parlor.
Because what I have told so far and a reading of the premise invites us to think of a drama where Davidson shows his pain for the loss of his firefighter father during 9/11 (a detail shared by his character in the film) and the acceptance of his family and himself. Actually, we found lots of silly and hilarious comedy that characterizes Apatow, pulling from his usual style marked by improvisation that he later polishes with great care.
‘El rey del barrio’ is also a film about children who refuse to grow up, who are the recurring figure in Apatow’s cinema, which is why the authorship is quite distributed despite being inspired by Davidson’s real life. The director helps spread the spotlight with some of the people around the protagonist, bringing them to life through special moments throughout the film and using fabulous actors who are very well directed.
Apatow understands maturity in his cinema better than ever (not everything has to be about your midlife crisis) with a film that puts beautiful notes of melancholy in the midst of his classic youthful jarana and chorra. Laughing and being moved by the drama do not have to be at odds, and ‘El rey del barrio’ is exquisite proof of this. That is why you should take the opportunity to see this gem if you have not done so yet.