Bo Burnham: Inside

"If I finish this special, that means I have to not work on it anymore, and that means I have to just live my life, and so I'm not gonna do that, I'm gonna not finish this special."

Normally I wouldn't write a review for something like this, but I can't stop thinking about it so I figured I'd probably should do something whether it's long or short. Inside is a new comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of the past year. I've never seen a comedy special quite like this. I'd say comedy might be a stretch even. It's more like an observation. This is the kind of thing I've been looking for. If we take the comedy aspect of the special, it's perfect comedy. It's nothing too funny and unfunny. I just felt very entertained. Between these songs - I guess I should mention Bo Burnham does musical comedy shows if you didn't know - there are segments of him trying to figure out what to do next, whether technically or content, or him assessing himself. For being in one small room the whole time, this is technically brilliant. Every shot is stunning and he found creative ways to enhance the space he's using to fit the right mood or to go along with the song/joke/whatever needed. I feel that if anyone is to be shown a shot from this, it will be easily recognizable because of how remarkable is. It's like the one shot from The Shawshank Redemption - you know what one I'm talking about. The editing is also very good. The shots last as long as they need to. Nothing is rushed and it all flows smoothly. It may be 90 minutes, which is longer for a comedy show, but it's the perfect length needed.

Bo's content is wonderful and I will repeat that over and over again. I might be a little bias because he is my favorite comedian. The writing is fun and hits so close to home. I understand the criticisms of some parts possibly being scripted and not exactly genuine. Even if that's the case, it doesn't make it any less real. We're used to his shows getting personal throughout and this is his most personal get. Therefore, I don't think any of it was faked. There are so many times where I teared up because the overwhelming amount of emotion. It's almost hard to watch at points. Nevertheless, Bo knows what he's doing to make an effective show. This is all him. I believe Inside will be remembered for decades as one of the best shows created. No one has dared go this far, and I'm glad Bo went for it. I have no complaints whatsoever. Bo Burnham: Inside is authentic and exquisite.

This new offering feels less like a comedy special and more like a fully realized work of art that stands as the culmination of an entire career. It's sensitive and introspective and, yes, also really funny. Here, we see Bo at such a level of vulnerability and chest-tightening honesty, that the urge to jump through the screen and comfort him becomes overwhelming.

He's made his name over the past decade as a sharp-witted and poignant artist - a multitalented wunderkind with a vision far greater than that of a simple comedian. There are, however, demons under the surface. His past material - chock full of sardonic observation and wry self-awareness - has always been tinged with an air of melancholy. This was most glaringly apparent in final minutes of his last Netflix special Make Happy in which we're given a glimpse into who Bo Burnham is. What we find is deeply lost and troubled man who has dedicated himself to his craft in the hope that, by wholeheartedly giving himself to his audience, he may, through them, vicariously experience the joy he so desperately lacks. He's a modern day sad clown - a patchwork of acerbic gags and punchlines that, by their nature or perhaps by their design, cannot stop the underlying pain from seeping through. Inside is Bo's opportunity to further unpack these ideas on his own terms, in his own way. It's heartbreaking and hilarious and disarmingly beautiful.

Inside left me with the sobering realization that Bo may never return to performance after this; that this special was his swan song to a 14 year comedy career and, perhaps, an admission that a life lived on stage and in the spotlight may never be compatible with his own happiness. The selfish part of me hopes that this isn't the case, that this special marks the beginning of a new era of creation and expression for Bo. But deep down, I know that whatever Bo feels he must do to calm his inner disquiet and find the peace he's been searching for for so long - that's what I want him to do.

I just dearly hope he's happy.

I really don't even know what to say more than that this might be one of the best, if not the best thing mr. Burnham has made.

Thanks Bo.

Bo Burnham is a comedian, an actor, a director, a writer, a sock puppet lifeline, and - most importantly - a YouTuber.

It's been 5 years since Bo's last special Make Happy, a show in his relatively unique style of comical music/orchestrated lighting and sound gags. Bo does not provide the usual stand up fare, and he is all the better for it. After panic attacks, Bo turned to writing/directing the well received Eight Grade a few years later. And now he's finally back, amidst a pandemic.

But, this special is different. It is no joke that I think him being a YouTuber is the most important skill for this special. It's written, directed, shot and edited by the man himself, with what seems to be few touch ups with colour correction and help with production. It plays like an incredibly well made YouTube video, and I don't mean that as a slight, far from it.

'Inside' carries satire, social commentary and honesty. It makes fun of social media, it allows time to process the more introspective points he makes, all while being incredibly visually creative.

What sets this special apart from his other work is how casual it seems; it showcases the DIY aspects of production. Equipment is regularly shown laying about, he controls the lighting during his performances, the list goes on. But don't be fooled, this took a long time to make and thankfully it shows.

Inside has Bo being more straight with the viewer. This is without a doubt his most honest and revealing special. Now some people could see the intermittent 'real' moments as disingenuous, as Bo did indeed control everything that was shown. Personally I like to think that he wouldn't be making this if he didn't genuinely feel this way.

Inside is an aptly named, entertaining special. It made me smile, it made me think, it made me want to be a better person. I hope Bo does well for years to come.

Exploring mental health decline over 2020, the constant challenges our world faces, and the struggles of life itself, Bo Burnham creates a wonderful masterpiece to explain each of these, both from general view and personal experience.

A beauty to watch.