Watch Folk Hero & Funny Guy

Folk Hero & Funny Guy is a 2016 indie comedy-drama film directed by Jeff Grace. The film’s story follows the interesting life of two best friends, Paul (Alex Karpovsky) and Jason (Wyatt Russell). Paul is a struggling stand-up comedian who wants to make it big in Hollywood, while Jason is a successful folk singer who’s at the peak of his career. When Jason invites Paul to join him on tour, Paul sees it as his chance to finally break into the industry. The two set out on the road trip from town to town, where Paul opens for Jason’s shows.

Paul and Jason’s personalities differ a lot; Paul is a cynic, sarcastic, and introspective, while Jason is outgoing, charming, and extremely popular with fans. As the tour progresses, Paul begins to feel out of place, and his deep insecurities come to the surface. In contrast, Jason is living his dream and has very little emotional baggage.

The film talks about Paul’s journey of self-discovery and the joys that come with pursuing one’s passion. Paul is cynical and has a pessimistic attitude towards his failing career. He is always unsatisfied and feeling like a loser. He’s also got a complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Becky (Meredith Hagner), who’s now engaged to someone else. On the other hand, Jason’s carefree attitude causes him to be generally unfazed by his friend's disinterest in his music, no matter what obstacles come their way.

The film’s comedic moments are hilarious, and the dramatic scenes are emotional, heartfelt, and deep. The witty banter between Paul and Jason’s actors is top-notch, and there’s a fantastic chemistry between them that adds to the charm of the movie. Alex Karpovsky’s portrayal of Paul’s wayward path to self-discovery is splendid––he plays a multi-layered character that’s both funny and sympathetic. Wyatt Russell is equally impressive as the laid-back and free-spirited Jason, whose cares disappear through his music.

The movie has a fantastic soundtrack with original songs that are both catchy and delightful. Jason’s performances are the film’s highlights, as he connects to the audience emotionally with his music. The significance and importance of inspiration and the creative process are conveyed beautifully throughout the film. Performative art as a means of storytelling and expressing oneself is underscored as an exemplary vehicle for understanding the interwoven nature of pain, romantic longing, and hope.

As the tour progresses, the relationship between the two friends changes as they confront their insecurities about their different lifestyles, careers, and their perception of masculinity. The film deals with themes of self-discovery, friendship, the comedy business, love, and pursuing one’s passion—all in the context of the music industry. The narrative emphasis is not primarily on the music itself but rather how friendship and creative expression bring comfort to those who may lack personal connections or have lost their way.

Overall, Folk Hero & Funny Guy is a heartfelt and entertaining movie that balances between comedy and drama artfully. The characters are relatable, the acting terrific, the soundtrack enjoyable, and the cinematography slick. And though the movie deals with serious topics, the filmmakers have skillfully treated it with a lighthearted tone that for each viewer, they’ll come out feeling that they’ve been thoroughly entertained.

Folk Hero & Funny Guy is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 64.