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    Movie Review

    Twice the Rogen in An American Pickle equals a lot of laughs

    Alex Bentley
    Aug 5, 2020 | 8:56 am
    Twice the Rogen in An American Pickle equals a lot of laughs
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    Seth Rogen has specialized in a certain type of schlubby character throughout his career, a persona that seems little removed from his real identity. But he’s also a highly shrewd producer whose credits show a willingness to try a wide range of different projects. The two sides of Rogen collide in the high concept An American Pickle.

    Rogen starts off the film as Herschel Greenbaum, a man who immigrates to America from the fictional Eastern European nation of Schlupsk in 1920. In the film’s most out-there sequence, he finds work in a pickle factory, falls into a pickle barrel, is found alive 100 years later, and finds out that he has one last living relative, his great-grandson Ben (also Rogen).

    At first happy to have found each other, the two soon find themselves at odds thanks to a century’s worth of change. Herschel values tangible hard work, such as the process of making pickles, while Ben is an app developer, where the results are not so easily defined. The film pits the two against each other, with Herschel finding success with his old-fashioned ways and Ben running into roadblock after roadblock.

    Directed by Brandon Trost and written by Simon Rich, who adapted his own short story, the film is a mixture of over-the-top comedy and sentimentalism. Most of the film deals in heightened humor, like Herschel using literal trash to make his pickles, so the audience is primed not to take anything seriously. But the emotion of being part of a family layers on emotions, giving a sense of balance to a film that could have been all ridiculousness, all the time.

    While the reasons Herschel and Ben disagree are natural given the environments in which both grew up, the film makes a bit too much of their spats. This is especially true on Ben’s side, as it’s never clear why Ben is so resentful of Herschel. And while the shots taken at the hipsters in Brooklyn are funny, they’re no more insightful or interesting than similar jokes that have been made for the last 10 years or so.

    Remarkably, Rogen is much better as Herschel than he is as Ben. Using a vague Eastern European/Jewish accent and concealed by a voluminous beard, he’s boisterous but never hammy. The character’s path is ludicrous, but Herschel himself is fully-realized. However they achieved the goal of having two Rogens in one scene, it works like a charm throughout, with their interactions appearing seamless.

    An American Pickle requires its viewers to suspend a lot of disbelief, but those willing to go along for the ride will find much to entertain them. More could have been made of the concept, but twice the Rogen ensures the film works most of the way through.

    ---

    An American Pickle debuts exclusively on HBO Max on August 6.

    Seth Rogen and Sarah Snook in An American Pickle.

    Seth Rogen and Sarah Snook in An American Pickle
      
    Photo by Hopper Stone
    Seth Rogen and Sarah Snook in An American Pickle.
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    This week's hot headlines

    Death of Dallas Caramel Company founder leads week's most-read stories

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 14, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company

    Editor's note: It was a newsy week in Dallas. Sadly, the founder of a Dallas sweets company passed away; there was also news of a new gourmet European market in the works and peach cobbler coming to DFW Airport. Here's a chance to get caught up on the week's most-read stories, and here's help planning a fun weekend.

    1. Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52. Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

    2. Gourmet European Market to open in north Dallas with pierogi and more. A new food shop with a distinct European flair is coming to Dallas: Called Gourmet European Market, it's opening at 17435 Preston Rd., in a shopping center south of Frankford Road, where it will feature food products from all over Europe but with a special focus on the Eastern European countries of Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria.

    Gourmet European Market Polish gingerbreadPolish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM

    3. Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas. A chef and caterer has opened an eponymous to-go cafe south of Dallas: Called The Cedric Frazier Experience, it’s an upscale soul food kitchen located at 103 Waller St., in Red Oak, where it opened on June 7.

    4. Dallas cuts slack on senior homeowners with new property tax exemption. Dallas seniors who own a home got cut a break: On June 11, the Dallas City Council approved additional property tax relief for senior and disabled homeowners by increasing the city’s property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older or disabled.

    5. Peach cobbler concept to open 2 locations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Southern desserts are coming to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The Peach Cobbler Factory, a chain based in North Carolina, will open not one but two locations at the airport. The first DFW location will open in Terminal D in late 2025; a second location will open in the new Terminal C Pier in 2026.

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