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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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    Reviews
    Tomatometer Critic Review Category
    N/R

    Robert Koehler

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 03:32 AM

    Variety

    tomato
    4/5

    Mark Halverson

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 07 2008 03:15 AM

    Sacramento News & Review

    splat
    2/4

    Joe Lozito

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 27 2007 03:15 AM

    Big Picture Big Sound

    tomato
    4/5

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 06 2005 07:37 PM

    Film Threat

    tomato
    4/5

    Pablo Villaca

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

    comment Comment | Mar., 08 2004 04:15 PM

    Cinema em Cena

    N/R

    Stephen Kelly

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 05 2003 08:06 AM

    PopMatters

    N/R

    Ignatz Ratskiwatski

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 04 2003 05:05 PM

    iofilm.co.uk

    splat
    1/5

    Greg Muskewitz

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 07 2003 05:09 PM

    eFilmCritic.com

    tomato
    3/5

    David Cornelius

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 22 2003 10:42 PM

    eFilmCritic.com

    splat
    B-

    Mark Robison

    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: | comment Comment | May., 20 2003 04:36 PM

    Reno Gazette-Journal

    tomato
    3/4

    Linda Cook

    Being funny is serious business.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 13 2003 09:56 PM

    Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

    splat

    Betty Jo Tucker

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 06 2003 11:48 AM

    ReelTalk Movie Reviews

    splat
    2.5/4

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 17 2003 08:15 AM

    Hollywood.com

    tomato
    4/5

    James Rocchi

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 11 2003 04:01 PM

    Netflix

    tomato
    3/4

    Frank Ochieng

    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: | comment Comment | Feb., 02 2003 04:09 AM

    TheWorldJournal.com

    splat
    C-

    Audrey Rock-Richardson

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2003 09:34 AM

    Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

    tomato
    4/5

    Karina Montgomery

    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: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2002 07:50 PM

    Cinerina

    tomato
    4/5

    Chris Iorfida

    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: | comment Comment | Dec., 08 2002 08:17 AM

    Film Threat

    splat
    C+

    Eugene Novikov

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 26 2002 09:24 PM

    Film Blather

    tomato
    3/4

    Sean Means

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 25 2002 09:27 AM

    Salt Lake Tribune

     
     
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