An American Pickle (2020)

A Jewish immigrant preserved in a vat of pickles for a century wakes up in modern-day Brooklyn and must navigate the 21st century with his great-grandson.

First release year

2020

Runtime (minutes)

89

Production countries

United States

Original languages

English

Directors

Brandon Trost

Writers

Simon Rich · screenplay

Cast and characters

Seth Rogen · Herschel Greenbaum; Seth Rogen · Ben; Sarah Snook · Sarah

Genres

comedy-drama

Themes

Immigration; Family Legacy; Modernity vs. Tradition

Tone and mood

Comedy-Drama; Satirical

Setting

Brooklyn, New York in 2019 and Eastern Europe in 1919

Premise and plot tags

Time Travel (Accidental); Dual Role; Fish Out of Water

Source material / true-story basis

Sell Out (2013 short story by Simon Rich)

Reception

The film received generally mixed reviews from critics, with Rogen's dual performance being praised. It was noted for its soulful sweetness despite some flaws, though some critics found it preposterous and flavorless.

Reported review scores

Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 39

Production trivia

The film was the first original film released by HBO Max.; Seth Rogen spent a month shooting his scenes as Herschel before shooting his scenes as Ben to ensure the beard looked authentic.; The film's rights were originally intended to be released by Sony Pictures before being sold to Warner Bros. Pictures in April 2020.

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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