Watch A Funny Man

A Funny Man is a Danish drama film released in 2011, directed by Martin Zandvliet and starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Lars Ranthe, and Lars Brygmann. The movie is an emotional journey that takes us through the life of one of the country's best comedians, Dirch Passer. The story is set in the 1950s and 60s, a time when Denmark was seeing significant social changes. Dirch Passer, born in 1926, was a prominent figure in the traditional Danish entertainment industry. He was a talented actor and comedian, who won the hearts of his audience with his performances.

The movie begins with Dirch as an awkward and shy teenager, who discovers his talent for making people laugh during a choir rehearsal. His newfound love for comedy leads him to drop out of school and take up odd jobs to pursue his passion.

With his talent and charm, Dirch quickly becomes famous in the entertainment industry. He starts working with famous directors and writers, including Erik Balling and Henning Bahs, who wrote some of the best Danish comedies. The film features some cameo appearances of famous Danish actors like Poul Reichhardt, Preben Kaas, and Ove Sprogøe.

As Dirch's fame rises, so does his personal demons. He starts indulging in alcohol, drugs, and women, and slowly becomes self-destructive. His marriage with his childhood sweetheart, Lise (played by Malou Reymann), is put under pressure by his infidelities and unfaithfulness. The movie depicts the tumultuous relationship between Dirch and Lise, who tries to support him through his dark times.

The movie shows how Dirch's alcoholism affects his work and personal life. His unprofessionalism and unpredictable behavior cause distress to his colleagues and his wife. The film also tackles the limited opportunities for women in the entertainment industry, and Lise is often belittled and treated as an afterthought by Dirch's colleagues.

Despite his struggles, Dirch finds a loyal friend in Kjeld (played by Lars Ranthe), who is his co-star and a writer. Kjeld tries to keep Dirch grounded, while handling his own challenges in his personal life. The movie provides a glimpse into the cinema industry of the time, the long hours of shooting and rehearsing, and the pressure of delivering a successful movie.

The film portrays Dirch as a complex and multifaceted character, who struggles with his personal demons while remaining passionate about his work. Nikolaj Lie Kaas delivers a powerful performance as Dirch, capturing his humor, charm, and self-destructive nature in equal measure. The supporting cast of Lars Brygmann, Lars Ranthe, and Malou Reymann, among others, also deliver commendable performances, adding depth and dimension to the story.

Overall, A Funny Man is an emotional rollercoaster, showcasing the highs and lows of Dirch's life, his loves, and his struggles. The film provides an insight into the entertainment industry's past and the social changes at the time. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in Danish cinema, comedy, or biopics.

A Funny Man is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.