New ‘Sacramento’ movie portrays the real city in a new light | Opinion
When actor Michael Angarano announced in 2020 that he wanted to make a movie entitled “Sacramento,” it created both excitement and apprehension here in the river city.
Too long has Sacramento been stigmatized as a place between great destinations like San Francisco and the Sierra. Sacramento has long held a placeholder status, the launching pad to more desirable destinations. But naming a film after Sacramento called to question our status in the eyes of Hollywood. It reminded me of why I moved here nearly a year ago. Why not Sacramento?
Sacramento portrayed in a new light
Sacramentans can rest easy. Not only is our city the title of this film but it’s also the main setting. The real Sacramento comes through. This movie creates a moment for the viewer to see Sac Town in a different way than we’re usually portrayed.
The movie follows two friends, Rickey, played by Angaro, and Glenn, played by Michael Cera of “Barbie” fame. They spontaneously decide to take a road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Glenn agrees to accompany Rickey after his pregnant wife Rosie, played by “Twilight” Actress Kristen Stewart, urges him to go. The plot thickens as the two begin to drive down the interstate and Rickey turns to Glenn and asks “What ya say, wanna go to Sacramento?”
“Sacramento” revives the dying buddy comedy genre with warmth and wit, accompanied by underlying themes of mental health, grief and friendship. The journey Ricky and Glenn embark has twists and turns that will make you smile, laugh and tear up.
The early reviews by theater-goers, at least by the Tomatometer on the review site Rotten Tomatoes, are very positive. One of Sacramento’s nicknames, after all, is the Big Tomato. How could Rotten Tomatoes pan this movie?
The last time Sacramento got such center billing on the silver screen was by Director and Sac native Greta Gerwig’s 2018 Academy Award winning film Lady Bird. With all of its critical acclaim, the movie for out-of-towners paints our city as a desolate land in which the main character desperately tries to leave for the big city life in New York City. All you Gerwig fans have mercy on me. I understand that the movie has a deeper meaning than just showcasing Sacramento, but the only taste of the city that most people have is this movie and it fails at representing its rich diversity and allure.
Putting Sacramento on the map via the film industry
Hopefully the “Sacramento” movie is only the start our great city being showcased by a film industry desperately needing fresh approaches and locales. We already have a rich history of once being home to so many theaters. Being a place where directors and actors get their start or where a big motion picture is filmed only unlocks more potential of our Sac.
Breaking the mold of tired perceptions of Sacramento requires a shift of thinking of Hollywood. Hopefully the movie will inspire someone to do what Rickey and Glenn did, take a drive on a nice summer day and say “what the heck, why not go to Sacramento.”
It’s beyond time that Sacramento is seen not just the right way, but the best way.
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
