The audience at Saturday night’s screening of Patti Cake$ at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival got a pre-show bonus when Amy Schumer introduced a clip from her upcoming comedy, I Feel Pretty.
In the scene, Ms. Schumer’s insecure character is trying to get into shape at the gym when she hits her head and emerges from unconsciousness convinced that she is the most beautiful woman in the world.
“As soon as there was a trailer for this film there was a really big backlash, because people didn’t think I was ugly enough,” Ms. Schumer told the Chilmark Community Center audience, which erupted in laughter.
“Thank you,” she added. “I’m really proud of this movie. It’s the exact message that I wanted to make, that we all battle with self esteem.”
Ms. Schumer also introduced the evening’s feature, Patti Cake$. Actress, singer and cabaret performer Bridget Everett, who co-stars as the mother of lead actress Danielle Macdonald, was on hand for the screening.
“She is my absolute favorite live performer of all time, and this movie did a really good job of showcasing her,” Ms. Schumer said. “It’s just one of my favorite movies I’ve ever seen, and one of those that I still think is going to wind up being this huge thing.”
Ms. Schumer also had warm words for her new husband, Chris Fischer. The couple married in California last month.
“Chris, shout out to you, you’re mad cool and everything,” she said, to approving laughter and widespread applause.
“Yeah, just so psyched, thank you for showing me Martha’s Vineyard, it’s amazing,” Ms. Schumer said, then adding that she has actually been coming to the Vineyard for 20 years. When the movie started, Ms. Schumer took a seat Mr. Fischer, Ms. Everett and Molly Fischer (Chris’s sister). A pair of lapdogs, including Ms. Everett’s Pomeranian, Poppy, were also in the group.
Patti Cake$, a music-themed drama about an enterprising rapper from New Jersey that has earned a number of award nominations for first-time director Geremy Jasper, drew loud cheers and long applause from the Chilmark audience. Nearly everyone stayed in their seats afterward for a question and answer session with Ms. Schumer and Ms. Everett.
Ms. Everett plays Barbara Dombrowski, a hard-drinking hairdresser whose career as a rock singer was derailed when she became pregnant. Her 23-year-old daughter Patti is played by the young Australian actress Danielle Macdonald, who co-starred in the 2014 film Every Secret Thing.
The climactic scene was Ms. Everett’s favorite to film, she said. Having developed a close relationship with Ms. Macdonald during filming, Ms. Everett said the pride and joy her character displays are her own authentic reactions to the younger actress’s achievement.
“I would cry every time, because I was so proud of her,” Ms. Everett continued. “I love movies like Rudy and Rocky, you know, the hero moment, and I was in a movie watching the hero moment happen.”
In addition to Ms. Everett’s role in the film, the conversation included her work with Ms. Schumer in the #MeToo movement, inclusion riders and diversity in casting. Questions also veered toward the absurdist.
“How do you like your cod prepared?” asked one man.
“I don’t speak about things that political,” Ms. Schumer responded.
Patti Cakes$ is available online at various streaming platforms. Ms. Schumer’s new film, I Feel Pretty, opens April 20.
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