Review: An American Pickle

An American Pickle is a delightful low-key comedy, helmed by Seth Rogen's dual performance. One can relish on Rogen's newest dish.

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An American Pickle is not a perfect picture, but this breezy movie might hit a sweet spot inside you. Seth Rogen's dueling performance as  Herschel and Ben Greenbaum is a treat to watch on the small screen. Herschel Greenbaum (a bearded Rogen) and his spouse, Sarah (Sarah Snook), are struggling Jewish laborers who decide to immigrate to America in 1919 with dreams of building a better life. One day, after the announcement that the factory will be closing, Herschel accidentally falls into a vat of pickles and is brined for 100 years. Miraculously, the brine has preserved Herschel perfectly, emerging in present-day Brooklyn. Silly yes, but we'll let this slide. Herschel decides to seek out his family, but he is disheartened to learn his only surviving relative is his great-grandson, Ben Greenbaum (also played by Rogen, but clean-cut and shaved). Ben is a computer coder, which exceeds Herschel's prehistoric ability to comprehend.

So, Herschel decides to do what he does best, sell pickles all throughout New York City. Rogen's chemistry with himself was humorous to watch. Rogen was able to capture two very different characters with a variety of mannerisms. With Herschel, Rogen grappled with unfiltered determination and a fighting spirit for the American dream. With Ben, Rogen grappled with loneliness and the distress of failure. In the end, Herschel and Ben demonstrated a unique bond through the love of their ancestors and a passion for achievement. An American Pickle isn't thought-provoking, nor is it a masterpiece. Instead, we get a comedic and semi-sweet movie that unveiled a bigger heart than it could hold. Rogen alongside himself was the most important ingredient the movie could offer. It's an entertaining fable bound together by a silly plot (script-writer Simon Rich) and a wonderful performance by a dual Rogen. An American Pickle demonstrates the power of togetherness, while also honoring the importance of tradition. Captured through great Yiddish humor, An American Pickle is a film one could take a juicy bite out of.

An American Pickle is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). For some language and rude humor.

Directed by Brandon Trost

Starring Seth Rogen and Seth Rogen.

Available to stream on HBO Max.