Watch Heckler

Heckler is a 2007 comedy and documentary film directed by Jamie Kennedy. The documentary primarily focuses on hecklers, those disruptive people who attend live performances and heckle the performers. The film also looks at criticism and the harsh reality that many performers face when it comes to reviews or negative publicity. Throughout the film, comedian, actor and filmmaker Jamie Kennedy conducts interviews with a range of performers, including comedians like George Lucas and Rob Zombie, as well as musicians like Jewel and Henry Rollins. Kennedy also speaks with hecklers, critics and other notable figures in the entertainment industry, such as David Cross and Bill Maher.

The film begins with Kennedy sharing personal experiences of being heckled and how it affected his performance. He then transitions to his interviews with performers and comedians who share their own stories of being heckled on stage. The film examines the role of hecklers in live performances, including the effects they have on performers and audiences.

As the documentary progresses, we see how hecklers can sometimes be a positive force in the lives of comedians, contributing to their development and honing their craft. Comedian Harland Williams, for example, explains that he loves hecklers because they help him to stay sharp and creative. Alternatively, some performers, such as Gallagher, have completely boycotted the entire concept of heckling--believing it defaces the art of standup.

The documentary also looks into different reasons why audiences heckle performers. Some individuals heckle as a way of engaging with the performer or being part of the performance, while others aim to cause disruption or express their anger towards the performer's choices. The documentary also explores how heckling can be a form of power dynamic - giving hecklers a sense of control and authority over the performer.

The second part of the film centers on the role of criticism in the entertainment industry. Kennedy discusses how critics can sometimes be overly negative and destructive for the artist, even developing the artists own fear of releasing new work.

To accompany the interviews and exploration of heckling and criticism, Heckler also has a number of examples of live performance acts that he records and shares in the film. Kennedy offers footage of himself performing stand-up and experiencing hecklers, as well as what many audience members might commonly refer to as 'bad acts.' One notably cringe-worthy example is a singing sheep act at a comedy festival.

Throughout the film, we see a range of emotions, including anxiety, frustration, and anger expressed by performers in regards to heckling and criticism. The interviews provide insight on how different performers manage these emotions and the impact it has on their respective careers.

Overall, Heckler offers an interesting look into the entertainment industry that not only entertains, but is thought-provoking regarding the role of performance and criticism in the industry.

Heckler is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.