The Funny Farm

The Funny Farm (AKA: The Comics) is about a group of young comedians who perform at a club called The Funny Farm. It's supposed to take place in Los Angeles but was obviously filmed in Montreal. The film has a cheap look about it but it does offer some real insight into the life of a stand-up comic, how to win over an audience, the importance of keeping the material fresh and the pitfalls of trying to build a career in such a shaky business. Peter Aykroyd (yes, Dan's brother) is great as one of the main comics. It's odd that he didn't have much of a career. Miles Chapin is also memorable as ths fresh-faced kid from Cleveland who comes to the Funny Farm to find his fortune. Oddly, Howie Mandel, the only one of the actors in this movie who really made it, is only so-so here. The Funny Farm is pretty tame, even by 1980s standards (no one uses Richard Pryor-like routines) but much of the movie rings true and is definitely worthwhile viewing for those thinking of trying out the entertainment industry as a career.

It's an interesting coincidence that I decided to watch "The Funny Farm", as only a couple weeks ago, I watched the Canadian film "Gas"...which ALSO starred Peter Aykroyd (Brother of Dan) and Howie Mandel. It was a terrible movie...and I hope this one is better! It coudn't be a lot worse.

The story is about a struggling young comic, Mark (Miles Chapin). He heads to Los Angeles to get noticed and The Funny Farm is a comedy club where he soon gets work. During the time there, you see many young, struggling comics and their acts. Some are pretty funny...most aren't. I was most impressed by Maurice LaMarche...who later went on to do voicework for animation because of his great ability to mimic famous folks. There isn't much more plot...just Stephen hanging out at the club...hoping to get noticed and seeing a lot of acts.

A few things to note. First, while the film was supposed to be set in LA, it was filmed at a comedy club in Montreal...hence a lot of Canadian comics. Second, you get a short cameo with Steve Allen...who just seems to want to get it over with when he meets Mark.

So is it any good? Well, it's very uneven when it comes to comedy...with some decent comics and a lot of lame ones. It does give some insight into the lifestyle...which is mildly interesting. Overall, it's a decent enough time-passer but not much more.

"The Funny Farm" tells the tale of Mark Champlin (Miles Chapin, "Get Crazy"), a fresh-faced kid from Cleveland who comes to L. A. to find fame as a stand-up comic. He finds employment at the title comedy club, which is owned by Harvey (Derek McGrath, "Freaked") and run by Gail (Oscar nominee Eileen Brennan of "Private Benjamin" fame). He also finds a girlfriend in waitress / aspiring actress Amy (the adorable and sexy Tracey E. Bregman, "The Concrete Jungle").

Although set in the States, you can tell this was largely filmed in Montreal. However, despite a budget-conscious approach to the material, "The Funny Farm" does win you over through sheer likability. It's an engaging film that does a nice job of portraying the fickle nature of fame, and the struggle of young comics struggling to make a name for themselves.

Granted, a lot of the routines by the comedy talent here are basically decent at best, although sometimes they do generate some real laughter. Peter Aykroyd (Dans' younger brother) is a standout in terms of performance as Stephen; also turning up are a typically goofy Howie Mandel ('St. Elsewhere'), Jack Blum ("Meatballs"), Maurice LaMarche (who's had an extensive career in voice-over work), Mike MacDonald ("Loose Screws"), Eugene Clark ("Land of the Dead"), and Howard Busgang ("Terror Train"). Veteran comic Jack Carter ("Alligator") contributes a vivid guest star appearance as a comedy star who disrespects the new generation of comics; Steve Allen makes a fleeting, priceless appearance as well.

"The Funny Farm" is no great shakes as a movie; in fact, it doesn't really have much of a story. But it has enough going for it, especially for those thinking of making a living at comedy, to rate it as a reasonably engrossing picture.

Six out of 10.

The laughs are nonstop as Mark Chapin and a gang of ambitious young comics strive to make it in the exciting and colorful world of comedy at the famous comedy club in Los Angeles, THE FUNNY FARM. These budding comedy stars are as crazy off stage as they are on: Miguel "America's funniest illegal alien"; Miles, who can't decide if he's a black comic or a comic who happens to be black; Bruce, whose manic act borders on insanity; and Peter, in intense political satirist.

Mark soon realizes that it's not quite as easy to achieve success as he had planned. He is forced to come to terms with the difficult life he has chosen, and he matures in the process. The result is an insightful and heartwarming comedy about those who life the life of a comedian.