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Movies / On DVD / Comedian
Comedian

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Comedian (2002)

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Reviews Counted:88

Fresh:67

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.8/10

Consensus: Comedian is an insightful look at the hard work of creating comedy.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language

Runtime: 82 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Oct 11, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $2,683,160

Synopsis: In this endearing documentary, Jerry Seinfeld shares the challenges and triumphs of returning to the stand-up stage after having made his fame with his eponymous television series. Starting out at... In this endearing documentary, Jerry Seinfeld shares the challenges and triumphs of returning to the stand-up stage after having made his fame with his eponymous television series. Starting out at gritty New York City venues like The Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club, and Caroline's, Seinfeld slowly readjusts to live performances. Backstage in between shows he chats with fellow comedians Colin Quinn and Chris Rock about writing and introducing new material, dealing with dead audiences, and getting comfortable on stage. These conversations convey a compassion and understanding about the struggles faced by all comedians, especially those who are much less established than Seinfeld. One such upstart, Orny Adams, is prominently featured in the film. A determined 29-year-old who wants fame and fortune more than anything else, Orny's journey takes him from the same small NYC venues where Seinfeld performs, to a signing with a manager, and tours to Montreal and L.A. This subplot casts Seinfeld's laid-back personality and more mature approach in a unique light. As Seinfeld graduates to bigger theaters and longer acts, working his way up to a 60-minute show, he finds inspiration in fellow comedians. The climax of the film is Seinfeld's meeting with Bill Cosby, a moment he calls one of the most important of his career. COMEDIAN, directed by Christian Charles and produced by Gary Streiner, is a gift to Seinfeld fans, while its positive tone and uplifting message will appeal to all audiences. [More]

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Orny Adams

Director: Christian Charles

Director: Christian Charles
Producer: Gary Streiner
Studio: Miramax Films

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Release:

May 13, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Comedian
  • Jerry Seinfeld is a working stand-up comic again. COMEDIAN is a candidly revealing, intimately observed, and often very funny look at what it takes to be a comedian. On-stage, Jerry delivers his hilarious brand of observational humor. Off-stage, he struggles with difficult material, confronts self-doubt, revels in small successes, and accepts help and support from friends and colleagues, including Colin Quinn, Ray Romano, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, Jay Leno, and Bill Cosby. COMEDIAN also discovers the sharp wit of rising young comic Orny Adams -- outspoken, insecure, and fanatical about becoming the "next big thing." What emerge are two fascinating journeys by two contrasting personalities who have some surprising parallels.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Comedian

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Robert Koehler
    Robert Koehler
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
    08/07/08
    Mark Halverson
    Mark Halverson
    Sacramento News & Review

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
    12/27/07
    Joe Lozito
    Joe Lozito
    Big Picture Big Sound

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Um olhar fascinante sobre os bastidores da comédia stand-up.

    comment Comment
    03/08/04
    Pablo Villaca
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
    09/05/03
    Stephen Kelly
    Stephen Kelly
    PopMatters
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: iofilm.co.uk | comment Comment
    08/04/03
    Ignatz Ratskiwatski
    Ignatz Ratskiwatski
    iofilm.co.uk

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    07/07/03
    Greg Muskewitz
    Greg Muskewitz
    eFilmCritic.com

    It’s both endlessly intriguing and side-splittingly funny.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    05/22/03
    David Cornelius
    David Cornelius
    eFilmCritic.com

    Think sausage. It’s gristly, filled with fat, and even if you like standup comedy, you might not want to see it done.

    Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
    05/20/03
    Mark Robison
    Mark Robison
    Reno Gazette-Journal

    Being funny is serious business.

    Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
    04/13/03
    Linda Cook
    Linda Cook
    Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

    Choppy editing and too many repetitive scenes spoil what could have been an important documentary about stand-up comedy.

    Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    04/06/03
    Betty Jo Tucker
    Betty Jo Tucker
    ReelTalk Movie Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    02/17/03
    Hollywood.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Digital-video documentary about stand-up comedians is a great glimpse into a very different world.

    Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
    02/11/03
    James Rocchi
    James Rocchi
    Netflix

    Comedian never comes full circle with the intimate details surrounding the personal life of Jerry Seinfeld. The real romanticism is about a man and his love affair with one main dancing partner—the companion called comedy.

    Full Review Source: TheWorldJournal.com | comment Comment
    02/02/03
    Frank Ochieng
    Frank Ochieng
    TheWorldJournal.com

    You might be shocked to discover that Seinfeld's real life is boring.

    Full Review Source: Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah) | comment Comment
    01/14/03
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

    It doesn't have a narrative arc so much as it sips from the snifter of the life of a comedian, but that does not detract from its interest one bit.

    Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
    12/14/02
    Karina Montgomery
    Karina Montgomery
    Cinerina

    Those with an interest in the art of stand-up will revel in this, and there's enough laughs to sustain it for those not looking to overintellectualize things.

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Chris Iorfida
    Chris Iorfida
    Film Threat

    Ultra-cheap and incorrigibly lo-fi, Comedian doesn't have much rhyme or reason, or a point.

    Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
    11/26/02
    Eugene Novikov
    Eugene Novikov
    Film Blather

    What's missing most from Comedian is the stand-up act that Seinfeld is so carefully crafting.

    Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
    11/25/02
    Sean Means
    Sean Means
    Salt Lake Tribune
     
     
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