Certifiably Jonathan (2007)
Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 12
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 9
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 3.7/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 6
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 127
Movie Info
Jonathan Winters, 85-year-old comic genius, is a gifted painter. He dreams of having his paintings hang in the Museum of Modern Art. When Jonathan's art exhibitions in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas fail, a discouraged Jonathan is ready to abandon his dream. The filmmakers decide to help by hunting down a famous critic and show him Jonathan's paintings. He believes Jonathan is "the missing link between Miro and Dali" and convinces the Museum of Modern Art to give Jonathan a show-but only if he
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All Critics (12) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (9)
For a movie literally about "finding the funny," it's ironic that director Jim Pasternak too rarely does in his fitfully lively but mostly awkward mockumentary "Certifiably Jonathan."
Top CriticJonathan Winters is a fine and funny fellow, and deserves better than this.
Fortunately, Winters' legendary inventiveness as a comedian has not diminished with the years.
Observing his subject both on and off medication (Mr. Winters says he is bipolar), Mr. Pasternak has produced a film that feels depressingly exploitative.
Faux documentary about the legendary comedian squanders the rich potential of its subject.
Winters deserves better.
Jim Pasternak's documentary is a sophisticated appreciation of Winters as an unsung multi-talent.
There's a trove of laughs to be found here, courtesy of the ineffable Jonathan Winters, which somewhat override the labored mockumentary gimmick.
A whimsical documentary about the elderly comedian Jonathan Winters and his quest to have his paintings exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art.
Would seem inconsequential under any circumstances, but feels especially threadbare coming on the heels of Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work.
It's got a great subject -- the extraordinarily voluble comedian Jonathan Winters, whose constant rush of words can be like a blizzard: beautiful, maddening, exhausting and finally beautiful again. But it's not a great film.
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Movie: ID: 770785709 Title: Certifiably Jonathan Release Date: 2011-02-11 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 6 Status: 1
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Because it is at the same time a tribute to Winters, a true documentary of his life and a chance to see him as himself, and at the same time Winters is also sending up himself, his art, his comedy, etc.
Yes, often it goes Spinal Tap and tries and succeeds to be really funny on purpose, "look i'm a mockumentary", but it is a great film as well due to its range because it never milks everything for a laugh. It is also a great satire on the art world in general. No, Winters' work will never be in the MOMA. His art is great enough but it will never be due to the politics of the art world. Winters is the rarest of artists...he is able to take neither himself or his art seriously...which is why he is a great artist and a national treasure and why it is wonderful to see modern comedians in this film look six inches tall in his presence.
A classic.