The King of Staten Island is the semi-biographical life story of comedian Pete Davidson. He plays the title role of Scott, a man now in his early twenties whose life was turned upside down after his firefighter father is killed in the line of duty. Scott pretty much stopped growing up at the age of ten and his act of smoking weed all day and claim to want to be a tattoo artist has gotten stale to the rest of his family.

So, Scott is stuck and he’s got a huge chip on his shoulder. When his sister goes off to college, it threatens his status quo–she’s moving into the future and he isn’t. That leaves him at home with his mother and when he does something stupid, she’s had enough and kicks him out of the house. He goes to his on and off again girlfriend (who has her own ambitions) and she’s had enough of him too. This brings Scott to mix with people and a profession he never thought he would.

I like coming of age stories like this and the cast is really good with Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, and Steve Buscemi. Directed by Judd Apatow there are a bunch of cameos of his friend circle of stand-up comics and actors. It’s a grounded movie that has a lot of heart, which I’m always a fan of. There’s a level of sincerity from Pete Davidson that comes through, especially when he goes on a rant or argues with someone because what’s coming out is what he experienced as a kid and has followed him for his whole life.

While the movie runs a little wrong (Judd Apatow), it’s paced well and the story told is a complete one. I’d say this is more drama than comedy and I think you can dig it even if you don’t like Pete Davidson.