King Of Staten Island is moving yet had me in fits

Jamie East, Film Critic

Published: 21:00, 11 Jun 2020

SATURDAY Night Live is a phenomenon that has never really caught on here.

Its jokes and sketches are usually irreverent, and not that funny, but it has spawned stars including Chevy Chase, Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy and Kristen Wiig.

Pete Davidson in the semi-autobiographical King of Staten Island Credit: Alamy

This film is the semi-autobiographical debut from one of its more interesting stars, Pete Davidson. His dad was a fireman who died in the 9/11 terror attack and his life since then has been a classic tale of going off the rails.

Not grounds for a comedy, you may think, but under the guiding hand of Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin), this had me in fits.

The story of a young man floundering in a haze of weed, tattoos and grief as his mother embarks on her first relationship in 18 years is an examination of grief and acceptance. Yet it is funny and moving.

Despite this all being a personal story to Davidson, the theme of young adults feeling lost without a place in the world is a universal one.

King Of Staten Island (15) 136mins
Sky Store, Now TV

★★★★☆

Blinded By The Light

A MUSICAL set in the Eighties, about a young Muslim boy obsessed with Bruce Springsteen? By sheer feelgood force, it Bosses it.

In the eyes of his strict dad, Pakistani teen Javed Khan (Viveik Kalra) should be gearing up for a future as a doctor.

Blinded By The Light has optimism and a charming deliveryCredit: Alamy

But his sensitive, poetic nature nags away after his pal Roops chucks him a couple of Springsteen albums to listen to on his Walkman. The Luton lad feels a connection with the hero from New Jersey and begins to flex his creative muscle – under the dark shadow of the National Front.

The film does over-egg the period theme – every TV, speaker or item of clothing screaming: WE ARE IN THE EIGHTIES!

Its fluffier, more whimsical elements such as a schoolkids’ daytimer party, can also feel a little out of place as the film gets to the meatier issue of racism and its depressing acceptance.

This wasn’t exactly high on my must-see list, but its optimism and charming delivery really do work.

Blinded By The Light (12A) 117 mins
Prime Video

★★★★☆

Artemis Fowl

I WILL hand over to the two young Easts in a minute, but through these wizened old eyes it’s pretty clear why this long-awaited adaptation of the much-loved books has taken so long.

It’s because they really didn’t know what to do with it – and it shows.

Artemis Fowl had Jasper, 15, and Buzz, 11, sat glued to the TVCredit: AP:Associated Press

Now over to Jasper, 15, and Buzz, 11:

“Artemis Fowl is the 12-year-old star of the popular series of novels by Eoin Colfer – rich tales of goblins, elves, evil geniuses and dwarves.

“As the latest Harry Potter replacement, Artemis is meant to be a baddie, but the film makes him a doe-eyed haircut on legs.

“We’re all for tweaking and improving on a story, but this was less Lord Of The Rings and more Percy Jackson – with the sheen of Spy Kids rather than Harry Potter. It confuses itself with flashbacks layered with narration – and for a story spanning several worlds, it feels incredibly unambitious.

“Even the inclusion of Judi Dench and the overused Josh Gad does nothing to help.