I Am Comic

Movie: I am Comic

My Rating: 4 stars

I’m really into standup comedy.  It’s not just that I like to sit back and laugh while some poor performer jumps through hoops on stage, trying to entertain me (although really, who wouldn’t like that?).  I even like the idea of standup comedy, and I’m willing to watch just about any serious comedian work out his or her ideas, even if they aren’t totally polished yet.  Of course, there will always be those hacks who just get up on stage and tell crappy knock-knock, or street jokes, and I’m not really into that sort of thing at all.  But, if a performer is really interested in ideas, and is trying to work toward the abstract idea of “funny,” them I’m always interested in sitting and listening to that. 

Nick Kroll

I suppose it’s a little snotty to claim that I have a good sense of humor, so I’ll just say that I really enjoy comedy.  I like hanging out around funny people and joking around with them.  And, I really appreciate a good bit—one of those ones that floors you with laughter because it’s simultaneously so true and so absurd.  I especially like the ones that seem so obvious when you hear them, but that you know you’d never have come up with if left to your own devices.

Kathy Griffin

This is why I was really interested in checking out this documentary about the art of standup comedy by director Jordan Brady.  Brady talks to tons of the best contemporary performers, so we really get a good feel for how they work, what it really means to commit one’s life to the craft, and to some degree, the meaning of comedy.  It’s really fascinating.  These kids’ experiences working are so wildly different from mine.  They’re out working on the road, and they sometimes don’t even head off to work until 10pm.  It’s the total opposite of the normal office worker’s day.  These performers have to be tough as nails—if not for the grueling schedule, then for the drunk, hillbilly hecklers they have to face so often.  I really admire this sort of fortitude because I certainly could never do it, being the delicate soul that I am.  The most interesting part of this documentary is how many comedians Brady got to weigh in on the subject of their careers.  Although, I guess I shouldn’t be at all surprised.  If there’s one thing that standups love, it’s talking bout themselves.

Jim Gaffigan

This documentary is a must see for anyone who is interested in comedy (as an idea).  I think it’s a very accurate portrayal of what it means to be a standup these days.  There has been a sort of renaissance in the comedy industry lately.  After the huge comedy boom in the 80s, it really seemed to drop off for a while in the 90s.  But, I think the internet has brought the art back in a big way, and I’m glad I’m around to enjoy it.  I’m even tempted to watch this movie again.  The documentary is so rich in content that it probably requires a few viewings to catch everything.