A buddy comedy meets coming-of-age tearjerker in Sacramento – a charming flick in which Michael Angarano and Michael Cera play two friends facing first-time fatherhood in vastly different ways. Angarano gets double billing as actor/director of the film and does a wonderful job towing the line between slapstick and sap-fest. I classify the film as coming-of-age because while all the leads are in their 30s, nothing quite accelerates the ageing process like knowing you’ve got a baby on the way. And really, are we ever totally done growing up? Genre-bending aside, if you’re looking for a movie to make you laugh and tug at your heartstrings along the way, Sacramento hits the sweet spot.

​

Cera plays Glenn, a soon-to-be father letting his nerves get the best of him. This is much to the chagrin of his wife Rosie (Kristen Stewart), who is left to calm Glenn’s anxiety attacks while preparing for parenthood herself. Stewart’s role is small but effective, and it’s not often we get to see her playing the “straight man” to someone else’s antics. It’s a refreshing change that she pulls off beautifully. When Glenn’s long-time pal Rickey (Angarano) shows up unannounced, Glenn is perturbed; but agrees to take an impromptu road trip to Sacramento to scatter the ashes of Rickey’s recently deceased father.

​

Rickey, as it turns out, has ulterior motives. And after he decides to come to terms with the consequences of a vacation hookup with a woman named Tallie (Maya Erskine) his true intentions are revealed. You’ll laugh. You may cry (at least I did). You will get to enjoy Michael Cera playing one of his most Michael Cera-esque roles since Arrested Development. Honestly, I dare you to walk out of this movie disappointed. Sacramento takes a bit of a wild turn in its third act, but nothing crazy enough to steer the film off its trajectory. This is one road trip movie where you’ll want to tag along for the ride.