All in all, An American Pickle is a solidly entertaining comedy. Its oddball conceit dares audiences to take the plunge, and Seth Rogen rewards them with Herschel, who is bold, thrilling, and a little bit bonkers. Though the film meanders in the middle with slapdash satire and mismanaged emotional beats, it’s nonetheless an imaginative and fun romp that manages to stick the landing with a suitably sentimental gambit. Still, the most exciting part of this pickle is Rogen’s breaking of his manchild mold to explore roles more challenging, rich, and uniquely funny.