Sacramento (2024) - Film Review

      Sacramento, 2024.

      Directed by Michael Angarano.

      Featuring Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, Maya Erskine, Kristen Stewart, A.J. Mendez, Iman Karram, Rosalind Chao, Tara R Gokey, Roma Lucero, and Michael Justin Gonzales.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A vibrant and carefree young man persuades his longtime friend, who has settled into a routine family life, to embark on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento.

      When Rickey (co-writer and co-lead Michael Angarano, delivering a strong neurotic performance reminiscent of Kieran Culkin) unexpectedly visits his estranged best friend Glenn (Michael Cera), he attempts to grab his attention by climbing a tree and making gestures in the backyard. However, Glenn finds this childish, and his pregnant wife Rosie (Kristen Stewart) points out, “You’re the one on the floor hiding from him.” This moment illustrates that Sacramento (co-written by Chris Smith) focuses on two emotionally immature friends who ultimately try to support each other. There’s also a scene discussing the concept of “projection,” as Rickey and Glenn argue over who is exhibiting it, highlighting that both are somewhat adrift and in need of clarity.

      Glenn grapples with intense anxiety about becoming a parent, overly worried that something might go wrong with the pregnancy, which ultimately frustrates Rosie. His fear of inadvertently jeopardizing the child escalates when he realizes a part of the crib he assembled is slightly loose and squeaks, causing a meltdown that leads him to shake and dismantle the entire structure. In public or during visits, his mind spirals into a “Final Destination” mindset, where he scrutinizes and calculates how even the smallest safety risks could turn into life-threatening situations.

      Simultaneously, Rickey is mourning his father and guilts Glenn into joining him for a drive to Sacramento to scatter his ashes (a partial truth that won’t be revealed here). A prologue and a one-year flash forward show that a spontaneous relationship with Tallie (Maya Erskine) has deteriorated. Observing Glenn’s fears about fatherhood, Rickey believes a weekend escape could bring some enjoyment, though he doesn't vocalize this idea. Nonetheless, Rosie thinks it’s a good notion to alleviate Glenn's persistent paranoia, and implicitly, to show he doesn’t need to worry constantly.

      Their friendship starts to rekindle (it's evident from the start that Glenn genuinely misses their time together), characterized more by earnestness than antics, gradually revealing more about both individuals. A humorous interaction arises when Rickey and Glenn meet Jess (Iman Karram) and Arielle (A.J. Mendez), former fighters who now manage a gym. Some may recognize Arielle as a past WWE superstar, making the rekindled camaraderie between the friends fittingly return to a wrestling context. Despite their brief screen time, Jess and Arielle emerge as charming characters who offer valuable advice, with every exchange uncovering another layer of Rickey and Glenn.

      It's important to note that this review intentionally omits certain details regarding the true purpose of their trip, though mild surprises do reshape elements of their journey. Even if Sacramento veers off track with the portrayal of their immaturity, using some concerning behaviors for humor in the final 15 minutes, it remains a well-acted, touching, and amusing story of rediscovered friendship, boosted by the chemistry of the leads and a sense of personal grounding in the material. Even in its lesser moments, Michael Angarano and Michael Cera uncover emotional truths.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.