Sacramento Review: A Fantastic Coming of Age Comedy for Adults

Summary

• Angarano and Cera shine as men still navigating adulthood
• Clever camerawork adds depth to Sacramento’s comedic tale
• Glenn and Rickey’s journey explores the power of friendship and growth

Sacramento tickles your funny bones as angst-ridden former best friends learn to be grown-ups on an impromptu road trip. Writer, director, and co-star Michael Angarano hits a comedy bullseye in this gentle coming-of-age story for adults. He hilariously reminds us that maturity isn’t a given in life. There comes a point when childish, irresponsible, and manic behavior hits a brick wall of reality. How we choose to face that moment defines our character. It’s okay to ask for help and admit that you’re clueless.

Rickey (Michael Angarano) sits by a beautiful lake in the middle of nowhere. He’s surprised to see another hiker, Tallie (Maya Erskine), wave from across the water. She yells they’re the only people for miles and suggests that they both jump in and swim to meet each other halfway. Sometime later in Los Angeles, Glenn (Michael Cera) fidgets nervously as he assembles a crib. He’s not happy with the railing. It doesn’t seem sturdy enough, and he shakes it until the crib falls apart.

Rosie (Kristen Stewart), Glenn’s heavily pregnant wife, returns home to her hyperventilating husband. She cradles him like an infant while going through breathing exercises. Rosie comments that Glenn needs to be better at handling simple matters. His phone beeps with another voicemail from Rickey. Glenn has been ignoring his childhood friend for months, having had enough of Rickey’s juvenile pranks. However, when Glenn sees Rickey hiding in a tree in their backyard, his aforementioned inability to handle simple matters comes out, and he ducks to avoid being seen.

Boys Masquerading as Men

Rosie forces Glenn to go outside. Rickey sees the trashed crib but pretends not to know Rosie’s having a baby and begs for lunch with his old pal. A reluctant Glenn agrees in the hope of ending their friendship. A strained lunch takes a competitive turn when Rickey takes the highway north afterward. Let’s drive to Sacramento for the heck of it. Glenn initially plays along before demanding to be taken home. He can’t leave Rosie alone for some harebrained trip. Rickey asks Glenn for one last favor. He’s got a compelling reason, but Glenn’s unsure if Rickey’s telling the truth.

Angarano and Cera are sublime as boys masquerading as men. Rickey considers himself to be a counselor of sorts. He doesn’t have a medical license or practical experience but feels competent enough to dole out unwanted advice. Glenn has been married for years but is utterly unprepared to be a father. He’s wracked with anxiety at every turn; falling to pieces when Rosie needs a capable partner. He’s heartbroken when she has no problem with him taking a weekend getaway.

Sacramento has surprises galore after a breezy first act. Rickey hides big secrets because he’s simply unable to confront them alone. Glenn has zero desire to share his burdens. He’s got his own problems. How can Glenn be a crutch for Rickey when he’s barely holding his own? The tension between them grows as both mask their true feelings.

Glenn doesn’t know Rickey’s agenda, but he’s also not honest with himself. Glenn searches for answers with peculiar methods that end up increasing his apprehension. Rickey can clearly see that Glenn is in a downward spiral but believes he has to keep lying or Glenn will return home and terminate their friendship. The protagonists spend a lot of time talking past each other without listening to what’s actually bothering them.

Sacramento’s Nifty Camerawork

Angarano has acted in over 70 films and TV series since childhood. He’s had supporting roles in classics from Seabiscuit and Almost Famous to Will & Grace. That breadth of experience is evident in nifty camerawork that brilliantly captures background action while keeping a center focus. Rickey runs around like a naughty squirrel as a clueless Glenn wonders why the heck he’s still putzing around Sacramento.

A laugh-out-loud scene with Glenn eating at a diner window completely oblivious to Rickey’s duplicity behind him is expertly staged. There are several of these throughout the film, along with creative lighting setups and changes in frame rate. Angarano knows what he’s doing in front and behind the camera.

As always, Cera inhabits quirky characters like a fitted glove. His offbeat charm and trademark delivery are instrumental to a fantastic climax that humorously ties the narrative together. Let’s just say that Glenn has an unexpected reaction to Rickey’s real reason for the trip. It strikes at the heart of a gnawing fear that has consumed him and prevents growth when he desperately needs it. Rickey proves his value as a trusted confidant. Everyone falls down. There’s no shame in reaching for a helping hand.

Sacramento is an enjoyable film, but it goes by too quickly at a speedy 84 minutes. Angarano could have gotten away with a longer runtime. Erskine and Stewart are delightful as the adults in the room, but it would have been nice to see more from their perspective.

Sacramento is produced by Bee-Hive Production and The Wonder Company. It premiered at New York City’s Village East by Angelika Theater as part of the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival’s US Narrative Competition.