The premise of the new film An American Pickle — debuting on HBO Max on August 6 — blends intergenerational conflict with more than a little brine. It follows an Eastern European man who emigrates to the United States in the early 20th century, only to be preserved for 100 years after falling into a vat of pickles. After awakening in the present day, he connects with his descendant and ponders the modern world. Seth Rogan plays both leads. And, if the trailer is any indication, this film looks to be both very funny and unexpectedly heartwarming.
If the premise sounds familiar, you may have encountered this idea before: the film is an adaptation of Simon Rich’s story “Sell Out.” Rich’s fiction has proved to be fertile ground for adaptations before: his work is also the source materials for the television shows Miracle Workers and Man Seeking Woman. Rich is adapting his own work here; directing is Brandon Trost, who’s making his feature debut.
Earlier this year, HBO Max announced that they’d acquired the rights to the forthcoming film. There’s something inherently appealing about a film that blends the surreal with the heartfelt. If An American Pickle can pull that off, it’ll be an impressive coup for all involved.
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