The King of Staten Island: Neon NZ Film Review

With charm and charisma, an authentic turn from comedian Pete Davidson anchors The King of Staten Island.

It's only fair that he does, given the movie is actually semi-autobiographical and is co-written by Davidson himself.

Set in the New York borough of Staten Island, Davidson is 24 year old highschool dropout Scott, who's never really got over the death of his firefighter father.

ADD and with a desire to become a tattoo artist, despite his "inconsistent tattoos", Scott's life goes into a tailspin when his sister goes to college - and it's further exacerbated by his mum (Tomei) dating another man.

The King of Staten Island is in many ways a typical Apatow dramedy.

It follows the path of other films he's done like This Is 40 and Funny People in that it ploughs a comedic furrow before halfway through taking a turn into dramatic overtones.

And yet, despite very familiar edges, The King of Staten Island works because of the authenticity of the script, the relatability of the protagonist  and the genuinely funny edges of the story.

Central to all of this is Davidson, who gifts the dramedy with the breeze it needs when it's necessary. But while that helps proceedings, the film never really delves deeply into the problematic psychology of Scott preferring to allow the proceedings to paint the picture and provide the insights. Apatow's film is more interested in hanging out with the bros and capturing the elements of Brooklyn life to a tee.

That's no bad thing given Apatow's eye for the shaggy stories; this one is no exception with a mammoth 140 minute run time. It may be a coming of age story, and a familiar tale of a manchild lost in life, but Davidson's veracity gifts the film the emotional heft and relatability that it scores so highly on.

Sure, there's a degree of sentimentality creeping in as the film enters its final furlong, but you'll forgive The King of Staten Island a degree of indulgence.

For in it, and obviously on show, is a story of humanity and of worth, anchored by two great performances from Davidson and Tomei.

The King of Staten Island is a winning film that unexpectedly creeps up on you in ways you'd never guess but are delighted it does.