Dying Laughing

Greetings again from the darkness. We all want to be funny. Making people laugh allows for an immediate connection … plus it just feels good to make someone else happy. Co-directors Lloyd Stanton and Paul Toogood show us the dark side (or at least the backside) of comedy through a series of black and white filmed interviews with dozens of stand-up comedians. In this age of political correctness, Chris Rock explains that there is only one group who says what they want to say: stand-up comedians.

It plays not so much as "how to become a comedian", but rather a therapy session for those who already are. It's loosely structured into segments that provide very specific insight and real life stories on: the first time on stage, life on the road, dealing with hecklers, the devastation of bombing, how to connect with an audience, and what it's like to be "on" or really kill it.

The list of participants is too long to list here, but includes such stalwarts as the aforementioned Mr. Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Lewis, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Billy Connolly, and Dave Attell. Those at the top of their profession open up about what it takes and how they made it. Think "Take a Parent to School Day", without the societal filter or peer pressure. These folks spend most of their waking hours looking outward for material, but here they are generous enough to look inward so that we might better understand their craft.

A diverse cross-section of comedians provide examples of racism, sexism and most any other ism. There is also the admission that a need/desire for acceptance exists pretty much across the profession. The struggles and challenges make up the experience which is vital to the growth and survival of a comedian … and maybe even what strands of sanity they possess. We hear stories of writing and re-writing jokes over and over again for years, before finally hitting on the right wording and delivery. We learn Smartphones often contain pages of notes on ideas and partial jokes, and that pain on stage often leads to a better act.

Jerry Seinfeld produced a documentary in 2002 entitled Comedian, and it dealt with the rigors of honing the act in front of audiences, and when combined with this project, we are reminded that comedy is at its best when it is about SOMETHING (fertile ground these days) … and that every comedian gets knocked down – but then gets up again (tip of the cap to Chumbawamba). The film is dedicated to the late Garry Shandling (who also appears in the film) and leaves us with the thought that "the laugh is your reward as a comedian". And that's pretty sweet.

I hadn't heard a word about this film and only stumbled into it while flipping channels...and there's Billy Connelly, sitting in a chair, cast in black & white against a plain backdrop, talking about the craft of stand-up. I was rapt from that point on.

The doc gives an inside view of the nuts, bolts, and mechanics of stand-up comedy by those who hit the stage and ply the craft. Comedians of all manner spill the beans on what it takes and what it gives; the long road, dismal motel rooms, the loneliness, the hecklers, the boos, and the glorious highs of honing a set, capturing an audience, winning them over, and reaching a pitch where everything kills.

The film fully resonates with my experience as a stand-up, and as a film, I appreciated its tonality, showcasing the comedians telling their stories in raw B/W, with B-roll of the clubs, cafés, and the road shot in color. It may be confirmation bias, but I found myself voicing "yes", "exactly", and pointing at the screen as I recognized the experiences and emotions.

While the film is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the breadth and depth of how many comedians took part, I kept waiting in anticipation to see several more; Bill Burr, Louis CK #metoo, Zach Galifanakis, Todd Barry, Paula Poundstone, Lilly Tomlin, Tig Nayarit, David Cross, etc.

9/10

I have individually herd most of these comedians talk about the craft. There is even a HBO special produced by Ricky Gervais were he's sits down with three really famous comedians and they talk shop. It's an excellent special but this documentary tops that.

Having all these comedians being interviewed together and having their stories inter cut with one another and their experiences layered into one gave a very complete inside look at what it takes to be a comedian.

What's awesome about this too is that it's a wide range of comedians. From here in the States to across the pond black, white, women, black women, Latino, Asian, middle Eastern. From the really famous to the living legends to the truly iconic, to people who have been in the biz for decades but you've never herd of them. They even took some time to do a segment of one up and coming black woman whose not remembering what it's like to start out but actually going through it.

It's a lesson in time and dedication and the struggle to hit the stage and what it takes to do it for a living. Very fascinating and entertaining, heartwarming sometimes serious, but overall funny

A must see.

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One of the best documentaries about a profession you'll ever see. I have no idea how it's rated this low as it's so enjoyable. Seen it twice now, and got better in the second viewing, because they really delve into what is life like as a comic.

Be warned. Although this movie can be funny at times, it's a pretty serious look at the life of a comedian, and all the ups and downs of getting there. Great emotional documentary at what you have to go through to be a comedian. I think the reason why it's so low, is because people came with the expectations of laughing. Though serious, it's a great watch.

The stars for of this for me were Royal Watkins, with an amazing story of bombing, Mike Epps, and Tiffany Haddish (Before she made it big. I'm sure some studio exec saw this movie and said that woman is a star.) The conscience in this movie is Garry Shandling, who provides the perfect philosophy on how a comedian survives. It's also bitter sweet as it's the last movie he ever did as himself.

Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, especially Kevin Hart, and the surprising Keenen Ivory Wayans provide the star power and tell the story of what happens when you make it big, but still all the trials you have go to get there.

Great documentary.

How many talking heads docs about comedians talking about comedy do we need? Apparently one more…. The stories are good as always, but this one is hit with a crate of unnecessary pretension (black and white? Really?). Kevin Pollack's "Misery Loves Comedy" is similar, but is better and more focused; watch that instead.