Pete Davidson Lives a Big Time Adolescence

In "Big Time Adolescence," Pete Davidson plays a lovable screw-up who befriends a teenager in a dull suburban town.

One of my favorite moments in Saturday Night Live history is Pete Davidson‘s apology to then-candidate for Congress, veteran and former Navy Seal Dan Crenshaw. Crenshaw had lost his eye in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan, and on the segment “Weekend Edition“ the week previous, Davidson had mocked Crenshaw’s eyepatch and infamously stated that Crenshaw looked like a “hitman from a porno movie.” The backlash from audience members of all political walks of life was pretty much unanimous disgust with Davidson’s comments about the Bronze Star and Purple Heart decorated hero.

In an unprecedented event, Pete Davidson went on air to admit his error in judgement and sincerely apologize to Crenshaw, who made a surprise appearance and, in a show of class, accepted Davidson’s apology. He then took the opportunity to needle Davidson a bit, and then gave an impassioned plea to all Americans to forgive each other and to tell veterans “never forget” in a show of appreciation for their sacrifice for our freedom. It was a beautiful moment for everybody, and much needed in a time of extreme contention during a particularly heated election season. To see two people from very different worlds and opposing political viewpoints be able to come together despite their differences was inspiring.

I mention this event in the context of “Big Time Adolescence” because Pete Davidson’s portrayal as lovable screw-up and college dropout Zeke is very reminiscent of the Pete Davidson we saw with Crenshaw - sweet, funny, and a bit self-deprecating.

Zeke was the quintessential party-boy and stoner in high school. Upon graduation, he never really grew up, and the party continues in his grandmother‘s house that he inherited upon her death. It’s a bachelor slacker’s paradise where Zeke and his flunkee friends hang out, play video games, smoke weed, and get drunk at all hours of the day. In the midst of it all is sixteen-year-old Mo (Griffin Gluck), the little brother of Zeke’s former high school girlfriend. Mo sees Zeke as a mentor and friend, and Zeke has always felt like Mo is his “little brother from another mother,” so their relationship has lasted long past the breakup.

Mo’s dad (played by an awesome Jon Cryer) is not thrilled with the friendship. He is concerned about the path Mo is taking and the bad choices he‘s making at the jovial behest of Zeke. But most everybody thinks Zeke is harmless and that Mo is a good kid, so things begin to escalate until Mo is dealing drugs and providing alcohol (obtained by Zeke) for senior theme-parties and ragers while everybody turns a blind eye. The proverbial party is over when Mo‘s subversive activities are alerted to the local authorities, and Mo comes to the realization that Zeke isn’t a positive role model for a successful future.

Sundance is a breeding-ground for “coming-of-age” genre films, and “Big Time Adolescence” is the newest one. Davidson isn’t really an actor, and for much of the movie he seems to be playing himself. While there is a lot to like about this movie, unlike Davidson in the Crenshaw skit, Zeke never really apologizes for his behavior. He basically screws up a kids' life, and then goes back to being his lame old self. There is absolutely no redemption and very little self-actualization for this character, which makes him awfully one-dimensional.

Mo sees Zeke working at a fast food restaurant later in the film, and it's like Zeke is stuck in a time capsule. He still smokes weed. He still plays video games. He has no girlfriend. He has no life. He invites Mo to come back over to his house to relive old times. Whaaa?! It is clear Zeke learned nothing from this experience and is on the road to loser-ville, which isn't really what we want for the poor guy. He's an incredibly endearing character, constantly joking about his own faults. It's clear he's never going to be a rocket scientist, but the movie would be so much more satisfying if we saw Zeke at least making some kind of effort - not inviting a minor back to his house to do drugs. But maybe that’s dirctor/screenwriter Jason Orley’s point - that after a certain point, people don’t change.