The Comedy (2012)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Swanson
as Van Arman
as Cargill
as Ben
as Waitress
as Sister in Law
as Young Woman
as Bobby
as Restaurant Manager
as Hospital Nurse
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Critic Reviews for The Comedy
All Critics (33) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (18) | DVD (1)
The longest and dreariest 94 minutes I've spent on a movie this year.
None of this is necessarily funny. That's the extent of the irony here.
The joke, I guess, is that there's nothing funny about "The Comedy."
A mean-spirited piece of mumblecore that tries to provoke you, but only succeeds in boring you.
A character study that tries to make the revolting compelling.
If you can discern any critical distance or interesting perspective here, or even a good reason to spend 90 minutes in such company, I'm afraid the joke is on you.
Audience Reviews for The Comedy
This mumblecore piece of avant-garde comedic drama is certainly not for everyone's taste but I found strangely compelling to observe (yes, that's the word) the life of this revolting character who is composed by Heidecker (always fantastic) mostly through improvisation.
Super Reviewer
After watching The Comedy, I'm sort of perplexed at the idea that I liked the movie. To be honest, I couldn't give you a real reason why either. As a character study, it works to a degree, but it is sort of aimless. As far as plot, none. The whole production is done in the quietest and most depressing manner possible. I'd even go as far as to classify it as a dull movie. Yet, I still liked it. A 35 year old hipster, who is on the verge of inheriting his dying father's estate spends his days on his boat or galavanting through downtown acting like he works at places he doesn't. His nights are mostly spent with his equally depressing and boring hipster friends who share in weird conversations with each other and drink. That's the basis of the story to the film, and most of the time a lot less than that is going on. The Comedy is offbeat and weird to be sure, but that is a big reason why I like it, I think. I love movies that desire to be something completely different and don't care how it's going to play to a large audience. This is completely different and it will never appeal to a large crowd, but there is an audience for it. By the way, The Comedy isn't really a comedy. You'd be hard pressed to throw this into any genre other than the broad Independent film genre. As far as a recommendation goes for this film; I would never give anyone the idea that they would certainly enjoy it. Odds are most won't be able to sit through it and those that do will wonder why they did. For those out there like me though that have a taste for these type of movies, it's worth a look.
Super Reviewer
While I may regret saying this at some future point in my life, I saw a lot of myself in Swanson, the protagonist of this film who, day by day, is trudging through a malaise. Not so much the naked debauchery, but definitely the desire to withdraw oneself from feeling. Many people see this film as a critique of hipster culture. Exposing the popular fallacy of believing that it is better to be above it all. To make a life of understanding the way the game is played, but just choosing not to play. There is definitely some of that peppered in this film, but what I really latched on to was the character study; one of a man who is obviously capable of empathy and understanding, but seldom exercises either mental process. At first it appears he feels nothing. Sitting beside the bed, concerned little with the cancer that is languidly eating away bit by bit at the man who he calls father, he probes the doctor about prolapsed anuses. Watching his sister-in-law frantically pace before his eyes, he assumes the role of a southern plantation owner, cracking wise about the good crop of slaves he now has in his possession. Yet, aided by a surprisingly subtle but strong performance by absurdist comedian Tim Heidecker, one can see that he isn't incapable of feeling. He simply prefers disaffection. After all, the world can some easily overwhelm you with emotion, so I understand the desire to want to control the sentiment of the room by creating one yourself. There are a lot of parallels to the television show Louie. It has the capacity to make you laugh at the absurdity of it all one second, while leaving you speechless with grief the next. It is a recipe that doesn't sit well with many. But for those who were looking for this particular dish, even if as a whole it isn't perfect, the ingredients are a pleasure to take in.
Super Reviewer
The Comedy Quotes
| Swanson: | I had a great day! I went to the shopping mall. |
| Swanson: | Hitler had....Hitler had horrible indigestion. |
| Swanson: | Hitler had... Hitler had horrible indigestion. |
| Swanson: | "Why don't you fuckers have satellite radio in this cab? You pay so much fucking money for these cabs you should have the option to listen to whatever kind of music you want." |
| Swanson: | Why don't you fuckers have satellite radio in this cab? You pay so much fucking money for these cabs you should have the option to listen to whatever kind of music you want. |