Wonder Watchlist

Synopsis: “Rickey, an energetic and free-spirited young man with a Peter Pan complex, convinces his long-time friend Glenn to hit pause on his blissful domestic life and embark on an impromptu road trip across California.”

I am the product of the Superbad and Twilight generation, growing up I remember countless family movie nights fighting my parents to let us watch our DVD copy for the millionth week in a row. Growing into an adult I continued to follow the careers of my favorite movie stars, and when I saw the poster of Sacramento in a local theater with Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart, naturally I was excited. Sacramento has that coming-of-age feel we’ve grown to love from a familiar cast, reminding us that we ourselves are growing up whether we are ready for it or not. Filled with quirky humor and an overall chill vibe, Sacramento works best when it allows its characters to be vulnerable with one another.

Young couple Glenn (Michael Cera), and his wife Rosie (Kristen Stewart) are on the brink of becoming parents. The arrival of their first child is just around the corner and Glenn is anxiously inspecting the safety of their infants crib. Stress eats away at most aspects of Glenn’s life, to the point where already assembled furnirture falls apart as he hyperfixates on it’s stability. With his unemployment looming over him his wife Rosie is left to be the breadwinner, while attempting to reassure Glenn during his moments of unease, she expresses that he needs to work out these issues for himself. Glenn wanting to grow out of his old habits is working certain friends out of his life, in his own unique way, and he doesn’t appear to be new at this behavior.

When his old friend Rickey (Michael Angarano) falls back into his life Glenn has to make a choice, close out yet another friendship he has grown out of, or continue on with his life the way it is. There’s no doubt Rickey is the more immature out of the two, he is sleeping with women he barely knows, and has problems coming to terms with his fathers passing. Glenn after some convincing from Rickey agrees to help Rickey spread his fathers ashes in Sacramento, hoping this will be a proper close to their friendship Glenn buckles in for a road trip that will change his life. Rosie can finally breathe with Glenn way for a few days and can get some much needed nesting done, not having to worry about her husband fainting from stress for a few days.

Sacramento is at its best when Glenn and Rickey are working through their shared past together; both are keeping each other at a distance somewhat, as each of them isn’t telling the other the whole truth. Glenn hasn’t told Rickey about his budding family, and Rickey hasn’t been totally honest about his father’s passing or that he himself is about to be a father. Most of their interactions are light-hearted, teetering into the over-the-top range at times. There’s a constant tension between one another as they both know the truth that the other is holding back. When the script allows the two to be vulnerable with one another is when Sacramento hits the emotional beats it swings for from the start. Their friendship comes to a head but is overshadowed by an overly dramatic climax.

Angarano wears many hats in Sacramento; not only starring in the film, he wrote and directed it as well. For his directorial debut, the film is an enjoyable 89 minutes of two men eventually realizing their shortfalls. It’s important to have films depicting parenthood and all the complicated emotions that come with it, seeing it from the perspective of fathers is uniquely intriguing. Angarano shows the insecurities men have during fatherhood, whether it’s financial safety, physical safety, or making up for not being around. Sacramento excels in that regard. The script often makes its leads much less emotionally mature than their female counterparts, to the point that when Rosie encourages Glenn to get out of the house for a few days, you can’t help but feel her relief. Or when Rickey decides to be in his child’s life and inserts himself into his one-night stand’s life, Tallie (Maya Erskine), throwing a monkey wrench into her single parent life.

Where Sacramento is entertaining is with its road trip travels, and the occasional Stewart scene. Showcasing its beautiful scenic atmosphere with Rickey and his yellow early 90’s convertible, it’s easy to fall in love with the laid-back west coast aesthetic. Paired with the chemistry between Cera and Anagarano, its moments of closeness between one another land them in some interesting locations, revealing what their past shenanigans as young men were like. Much like the film’s overall look, each Rosie scene easily steals the show in Sacramento. Stewart’s matter-of-fact line delivery is a much needed guide in a film that tonally shifts too often. Unfortunately, her screen time is much too little for a character of such importance to the script.

Overall Sacramento has a mixture of genres that will pique the interests of young adults looking for an adult comedy; with the film’s short runtime, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Where the film’s script falls short, it makes up for in palpable cast chemistry and relaxed visuals.

Rating: 3.5/5

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