Kevin Pollak directs his first feature film with The Late Bloomer, a romantic comedy released in 2016. The film is loosely based on the life of journalist Ken Baker. His memoir Man Made: A Memoir of My Body, served as the foundation for the movie. It narrates the story of his life’s strange twist of going through puberty in his late twenties due to a tumor which was compressing his pituitary gland.
This film is a mix of odd yet heartwarming comedy which combines emotional growth with the bizarre. It shows how repressed puberty trauma is able to transform a peaceful life into a storm of chaos, sudden life experiences, and lessons a person should have learned a long time ago.
Dr. Peter Newmans is a 30 year old successful sex therapist who, ironically, has never gone through puberty. He is a professional in the field of human sexuality, but his emotional and romantic life is nearly non-existent. His life is rather mundane and orderly with the exception of his deep and unexpressed feelings for his long-time friend and neighbor Michelle.
Everything shifts when Peter gets a minor concussion during a pickup game of basketball. Further examination uncovers a benign tumor that is pressing against the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the hormonal regulation within the body. The tumor has been inhibiting his body’s ability to undergo puberty. After surgical removal of the tumor, Peter undergoes a rapid version of adolescence, and the physical, emotional, and sexual chaos is condensed into a few short weeks.
Initially, Peter is overjoyed. He is treated to a newfound sense of confidence, physical changes, and the ability to undergo feelings that most people undergo during their teenage years. However, the mid-life puberty undergoes far more disruption than he anticipated. As his body catches up with his new-found confidence, his voice begins to break, acne becomes more prevalent, sexual urges reach new heights, and emotional instability takes over.
Experiencing a mid-life puberty jump, Peter begins to date more than one woman at a time. He is able to use and explore his newfound body and emotions, but lack emotional maturity to deal with the chaos that follows. He begins to act rashly, behaving unprofessionally at his job, distancing himself from his closest friends. The changes put a sudden strain on his relationship with Michelle, who, up until then, appreciated Peter’s sensitivity and has now been replaced by a self-absorbed version of the young man.
In the heat of the moment, Peter loses his job, isolates himself emotionally, and crosses several professional boundaries. Quite the fall from grace. Through meaningful discussions with his father about his masculinity struggles, he learns more about his own identity.
Realizing that maturity isn’t hinged to hormones but responsibility and emotional development, he reconnects with his friends and apologizes to Michelle.
He is pregnant with their child, and in turn, he drafts a book for young adolescent boys that highlights the struggles of going through puberty. Peter combines wisdom he’s gained from his own experiences and book on clinical psychology to write the book and helps prepare himself for fatherhood.
Fast & Furious Cast and Characters
Brittany Snow as Michelle – As a grounded counterbalance, Michelle is a caring neighbor and empathetic love interest with a moral compass who helps Peter navigate his rough edges.
Johnny Simmons as Dr. Peter Newmans – As the shattered protagonist of the story, he experiences a rapid and delayed puberty. Simmons’s comedic timing combines brilliantly with his immense vulnerability.
J.K. Simmons as James Newmans – Peter’s father who, like many dads, has a tough demeanor that conceals a softer and caring side. His role is important in Peter’s metamorphosis.
Maria Bello as Brenda Newmans – Peter’s supportive mother who, as any caring parent, provides him with emotional strength.
Jane Lynch as Caroline – Peter’s comedic, stern, and quirky boss at the clinic.
The ensemble cast is rounded out by Kumail Nanjiani, Beck Bennett, Paul Wesley, and Blake Cooper, who add humor and emotion at various points.
Director & Writers
Kevin Pollak – Recognized as an actor and a comedian, Pollak makes his directorial debut with this film. His blend of outrageous comedy with comical storytelling is a hallmark of his direction.
Writers – Joe Nussbaum, Paul A. Kaplan, and Mark Torgove, among others, brought Ken Baker’s memoir to life in a screenplay that was infused with greater humor.
- Themes and Tone
The Late Bloomer delves into a few key themes:
Delayed Development – The film’s main ideas of undergoing puberty in later life allows for a look at how emotional growth in intelligent, high-achieving people can be stunted.
Masculinity and Identity – The film offers a less blunt critique of masculinity norms. Peter comes to understand that being a man is not signified by growing up, but by how he treats people and how he takes responsibility.
Emotional Intelligence vs. Physical Maturity – Peter’s case is an example of how someone can grow physically but not mature emotionally.
Friendship and Support – The theme of personal development is saliently captured through Peter’s interactions. Most notably, the friendship he has with his best friend, Rich, anchors the film and offers a powerful reminder of the significance of a reliable support network amid life’s challenges.
The film’s tone is a mix between a raunchy comedy and a heartfelt drama. The film does remain emotionally sincere even if the jokes can be childish and crass.
Critical Reception
The Late Bloomer is known to have been released with mixed to negative reviews. Despite being praised for its original premise, the film was widely panned for its inconsistent execution. Striking the right balance between gross-out humor and emotional storytelling proved to be a struggle, resulting in the film falling heavily into immature comedy instead of character development.
Although Johnny Simmons received praise for his sincere performance, the film’s overuse of cliché comedic tricks detracted from the film’s impact. Others also argued that the memoir’s potential depth was lost during the adaptation process.
Nevertheless, the film’s quirky aspects and relatability, especially the offbeat sense of humor combined with the underdog protagonist, resonated with many in the audience.
Production and Background
The book adaptation had a long journey towards film adaptation. The memoir by Ken Baker sparked studio interest as early as 2008. The film finally came to fruition in 2015 under the direction of Kevin Pollak, but only after multiple actors and directors were attached to it. The movie was shot mostly in Los Angeles and parts of Eastern Europe, featuring minimal production designs and small, intimate locations to highlight the character-driven narrative.
Conclusion
The Late Bloomer, despite its peculiarity, provides a heartfelt perspective on coming-of-age tales. While the film might not achieve the narrative or emotional depth of other romantic comedies and coming-of-age dramas, the unique premise alongside sincere performances provides an interesting, albeit flawed, film.
Beyond being a simple medical curiosity, Peter Newmans story is a tale of personal development, learning to truly love, and learning to relinquish deep-rooted forms of trepidation. Beneath the humor, it remains a movie about the acceptance of oneself and the wonderful truth that it is never too late to mature.
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