On my way home from Florida flying on Delta Airlines, I noticed the movie screens recessed in the seat in front of me. One of the selections that caught my eye was a man who looked exactly like Tevye the milkman in the classic production of Fiddler on the Roof. I also love Pickles, so I chose this movie to pass the time heading north to my destination. My experience with actor Seth Rogen goes back to 2011 in the film the Guilt Trip. In that film Rogen playing a momma's boy opposite his domineering Mom Barbra Streisand. This film starts with Rogen's narration showcasing a bearded ditch digger Hershel Greenbaum, heavily made up with heavily accent. Having a meager life, the lonely Hershel meets the love of his life Sarah (Sarah Snook). Kudos to the makeup department for the authentic turn-of-the-century sets and local peasant characters. As I was watching I was wondering about my ancestors who struggled each day to make ends meet. The sets seemed authentic with the Russia/Poland village resembling the Fiddler on The Roof motif. (Not quite clear the locale), Sarah and Hershel Wed then Kosak's invade destroying their village. The two end up in America. Another blessed event occurs when Sarah is expecting. Hershel gains employment in a pickle factory. His job is mainly killing vermin with a cleaver. One day as fate would have it, Hershel accidentally falls into a pickle barrel. The factory workers are distracted and close the lid without knowing that their co-worker is trapped inside. Concurrently the Health Department condemns the building. One hundred years have passed as we see a decrepit building. Two youth stumble upon the dusty baron factory. They hear sounds emanating from an abandoned pickle barrel. To their astonishment they see the bearded relic submerge through the brine. Hershel appears unaffected. Apparently, the brine preserved Hershel who hasn't aged. Lack of continuity plays a role in this film as the Scientist or caregivers in handling this freak of nature (Hershel), have to educate and rehabilitate this one hundred old relic on how to adapt to his strange new environment of horseless carriages and buildings that touch the clouds, but this movie has only 88 minutes to tell its story. Hershel finds out that his last living relative is his Great Grandson Ben also played by Seth Rogen who lives nearby. Alone in his apartment Ben is unattached. He welcomes Hershel into his world unconditionally. Ben is a product of the computer online, web site age and is working passionately for 5 years on a project he hopes will sell. Pleasantries are exchanged as Hershel learns the fate of his beloved Sarah and wants to visit her grave. To his dismay, the cemetery is neglected and abutted by a superhighway. To add to the degradation, a tacky billboard is being erected which causes our story to go into a negative light with cultural differences between Ben and Hershel a sort of self-loathing erupts starting with Ben and Hershel in a scuffle causing them to be arrested. Hershel starts out on his own with a makeshift pickle cart. Jealousy and cultural, religious beliefs also cause problems for our Jewish Rip Van Winkle. To me personally, the loss of the old world cultures disheartened Hershel as he couldn't fathom his grandson not knowing how to say the prayer for the department or keeping with traditions. I would have rather had Ben ask Hershel about his time in history and his experiences in the old country. I solely would find that fascinating. But again the story has time restrictions. This was a good attempt in measuring Rogen's range as an actor playing a dual role. Despite the holes in the story, It kept my interest. I guess as the movie progresses Ben and Hershel recognize themselves as each other. They also realize that Ben existed within Hershel and Hershel's spirit lives through Ben. Currently living in a country that is divided, I didn't appreciate the writers putting in current political views to the clueless Hershel who fumbled verbally on the topic of Christianity. I would have preferred the fish out of tank responses rather than political correctness but that's my opinion.
Review of An American Pickle
