An American Pickle

Seth Rogen takes on dual roles in this quirky but scattershot comedy as both an Eastern European immigrant in New York and his great grandson. In 1919, Herschel Greenbaum falls into a vat of pickles in Brooklyn, emerging from the brine 100 years later, perfectly preserved but understandably perplexed. His only living descendent, Ben, happily takes him in, only for their relationship to quickly sour. The "man-out-of-time" theme has been done plenty of times before (Austin Powers, Sleeper, even Demolition Man), but the familial-bond angle is a nice touch. However, as the bromance fades and resentments kicks in, the plot becomes increasingly directionless, while Ben's vindictive nature and Herschel's politically incorrect outbursts make both men difficult to warm to. There are some fun moments, including the early scenes detailing Herschel's miserable existence in {doqthe }old country" and him becoming a social-media sensation in hipsterish Williamsburg. But this increasingly acidic concoction ultimately turns to schmaltz as the generationally opposed pair come to bond over their Jewish faith.