First look at Trainwreck: LeBron James and Amy Schumer shine

When I got the opportunity to catch a preview screening of Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, I jumped at the chance. But I’ll admit that, going in, I didn’t know a ton about it. Obviously, I knew the big names attached to it, and I knew enough about the plot to assume it was a rom-com that would be right up my alley. With Amy Schumer starring and writing, LeBron James appearing, and Judd Apatow directing, I should have known better. Because, while Trainwreck is not your typical rom-com, it is exactly what you should expect from Amy Schumer: A sharply funny movie that’s just the right mix of raunchy and heartfelt. And just plain good. Really good.

Trainwreck follows the misadventures of 30-something Amy Townsend (Schumer) who is, indeed, a train wreck… but a lovable one at that. Taught as a child by her unfaithful but kind of well-meaning father (Colin Quinn, who is spectacular) that “monogamy isn’t realistic,” Amy grows up believing exactly that. She spends her days smoking a lot of pot and drinking even more. She beds a lot of men. Like… a lot. Look, I’m not slut-shaming here, I’m just saying that when you look up Trainwreck on IMDb, four of the first 10 characters billed are known only as “One-Night Stand Guy.” For Amy, there are too many walks of shame, sky-high heels and nasty hangovers to keep count.

Despite her sloppy lifestyle, Amy actually has a pretty killer job as a writer for a popular men’s magazine (think GQ). She gets assigned a feature piece on physician-to-the-stars Aaron Conners (played by Bill Hader) who is developing a new, game-changing surgery method for repairing torn ligaments. The thing about Aaron is that he not only treats star athletes, he’s also friends with them.

While I wouldn’t call LeBron a co-star, I wouldn’t call his part a cameo, either

And that, of course, is where LeBron comes in—and where he really shines. In Trainwreck, he’s playing a version of himself that is sensitive, nurturing and fiercely protective of his best friend, Aaron. He’s also fiercely protective of Cleveland, lecturing Aaron at one point on how wonderful the fans and The Land can be. (At this part in the movie, people in my screening actually cheered. Go Cleveland.) LeBron seems at ease when he’s on camera, with great comedic timing and a natural, genuine way of playing his part. Not to mention the incredible on-screen chemistry between LeBron and Bill Hader. One of their best and most hilarious scenes involves an intense one-on-one game, and while I don’t want to give anything away, I will say that there is a chalk toss involved.

A lot of people have asked me how much LeBron is in Trainwreck, and, while I wouldn’t call him a co-star, I wouldn’t call his part a cameo, either. Think supporting character — he pops up pretty frequently throughout the entire movie and enough so that fans will be pleasantly surprised. Speaking of athlete cameos, Trainwreck is full of them. Keep your eyes out for Amar’e Stoudemire, Tony Romo, and WWE star John Cena, just to name a few. Also, don’t miss a split-second appearance by the Cavs’ own Iman Shumpert and free agent J.R. Smith, filmed back during their days with the New York Knicks.

Trainwreck is, at its core, a girl-meets-boy love story. But there’s so much more to it than that. There are some heavy storylines that will take you by surprise, but there’s enough of Schumer’s trademark self-deprecating humor that you’ll be laughing throughout. Regardless if you’re an Amy Schumer fan or just a big fan of LeBron, grab a Wine Cube* and go see it.

Trainwreck opens nationwide on Friday, July 17.

*For those unaware, a Wine Cube is essentially an adult juicebox full of wine. Amy is obviously a fan, even if Cena isn’t:

Universal Pictures