Film review: The Bubble (2022)

The Bubble

Apatow Productions

Netflix

#whatonwhatsgood Express Review (by: Jovin Tardif)

I’m not sure about you, but I wasn't a fan of this particular film.  Maybe I wasn't ready to hear about the issues during the pandemic on film sets.   I didn't really find 'The Bubble' that funny either.  I was kind of surprised since they had an all-star cast of  Karen Gillan, Pedro Pascal, Iris Apatow, Leslie Mann, David Duchovny, and Keegan-Micheal Key.  This definitely wasn't one of Judd Apatow's best movies.  If you want to get to know Judd Apatow's work check out “Anchorman,” "Knocked Up” or “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”.

The Bubble

Release date

April 1, 2022

Directed by

Judd Apatow

Written by

Judd Apatow and Pam Brady

Produced by

Judd Apatow

Starring

Karen Gillan as Carol Cobb

Iris Apatow as Krystal Kris

Pedro Pascal as Dieter Bravo

Leslie Mann as Lauren Van Chance

Fred Armisen as Darren Eigan

David Duchovny as Dustin Mulray

Keegan-Michael Key as Sean Knox

Kate McKinnon as Paula

Guz Khan as Howie Frangopolous

Maria Bakalova as Annika

Peter Serafinowicz as Gavin

Harry Trevaldwyn as Gunther

Nick Kocher as Scott

Cinematography

Ben Smithard

Edited by

Dan Schalk and James Thomas

Music by

Andrew Bird

Executive Producers

Barry Mendel, Donald Sabourin, and Pam Brady

The Cast discuss what attracted them to the project

IRIS APATOW 

I watched my dad write the whole thing and as it was put together, I thought it would be the first of its kind. I love doing crazy social media characters and actors within movies within movies. So it was exciting to get to do that again.

KAREN GILLAN

What drew me in initially was the fact that Judd Apatow was directing it.  I love all of his movies so much. They’re just the funniest, but they’re also filled with heart and emotion. The movie is incredibly real because of all the improv, and I’ve actually never done a lot of improv before. I was really excited to be in something that was really funny but also freeing with all of the improv vibes.

DAVID DUCHOVNY

I’ve known Judd for quite a while, we worked together on The Larry Sanders Show back in the day and I’ve always wanted to work with him again. He sent me the script.  I was just overjoyed to get a chance to exist in his universe and see what I could bring to it.

PETER SERAFINOWICZ 

I found out that Judd Apatow was going to make a big comedy film called The Bubble, in a bubble, during the pandemic. I hadn’t really worked with a real film crew for the entire duration of lockdown, so the idea seemed ambitious. I went and met Judd outside the Dorchester hotel. The streets were almost empty, it was like a movie set. We went for a walk around Regent’s Park, and probably saw about eight other people in total. Judd explained the movie and I thought, “Wow, this sounds amazing. Has somebody made a mistake? Does he think I’m somebody else?”

FRED ARMISEN 

Getting to work with Judd Apatow was the first thing that drew me to the project. I’ve been a fan of his movies for so long, knew him a little bit, and I did one movie with him around 20 years ago. When I heard about the premise, it sounded even better. Also, I love getting to work in England. I grew up on British music, and any chance I can ever get to be in England, my answer is yes.

HARRY TREVALDWYN

Because it was a Judd Apatow project, I was very, very interested. I auditioned but I didn’t think there was a hope in hell that I would get it. I improvised as one of the characters and edited it together. Then, when I was in the middle of a tutoring session, I got a text from my agent saying “Judd wants to Zoom with you this evening.” So I just took manic little walks for about two hours waiting for the call. I tried to come across as so casual.

KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY 

I wanted to really explore the concept of the movie, more than anything else. I like the concept of a movie inside of a movie, and I was excited to make an ensemble piece about making an ensemble movie, while examining the pandemic from the point of view of our industry. I just thought that was really interesting, and that it’d be something worth exploring.

PEDRO PASCAL 

I haven’t gotten the chance to do a lot of comedy, so the opportunity to work with one of the best comedic producers, directors and writers out there excited me. Judd’s prolific career has been a huge influence on me, and as a viewer I’ve always enjoyed it. I never imagined I’d get to be a part of it.

MARIA BAKALOVA 

I read the script, saw the actors that were attached, and saw that the brilliant Judd Apatow was making it, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I was extremely excited because of my love for Judd’s work, my love for comedies in general, and my love for all these incredible, talented actors.

GUZ KHAN 

There’s two versions of this answer. The first is that I was attracted to the project because it’s the one and only Judd Apatow, an incredible comedic director for many, many years. The second answer is, we’re in the middle of a pandemic, I’m trying to pay my bills, you understand? So the truth is, it was number two: I have to pay these bills.

LESLIE MANN 

Judd’s fine writing.