Watch Misery Loves Comedy

Misery Loves Comedy is a documentary film released in 2015, directed by Kevin Pollak. The movie is an insightful and often hilarious exploration of the relationship between comedy and personal turmoil. The documentary is a combination of interviews with comedians and behind-the-scenes footage of their personal and professional lives. It features some of the biggest names in the comedy industry, including Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow, Jim Gaffigan, and Jon Favreau.

The movie opens with comedian Kevin Pollak posing the question: "Do you have to be miserable to be a comedian?" The film then delves into an examination of the emotional complexities and challenges that comedians face in their daily lives, using Pollak's insightful interviews as a guiding thread.

Throughout the film, we see comedians expound on their personal struggles and the role that comedy plays in both coping with and inspiring those struggles. From early childhood experiences to the death of loved ones, all of these interviews reveal the deep human connection between comedy and tragedy.

As Pollak interviews each comedian, they each seem to have their own philosophy on how humor is gleaned from personal misfortune. For some, comedy is a coping mechanism, a way to process difficult emotions and experiences. For others, it is a form of therapy, allowing them to gain perspective on their own lives and problems.

Throughout the documentary, we see the many faces of comedy - from the raunchy and provocative to the heartfelt and introspective. By showing these different approaches, the movie highlights the versatility of humor and its ability to both entertain and enlighten.

One of the most compelling themes explored in Misery Loves Comedy is the idea that comics must mine their own sadness for inspiration. Several comedians reveal how their personal struggles have fueled their material, and how they've had to cultivate a level of vulnerability to create the best possible jokes.

In one particularly moving moment, Amy Schumer discusses the deep emotional toll of losing a parent, and how that experience has informed her stand-up routine. Similarly, Judd Apatow speaks candidly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression, and how those challenges have shaped his comedic sensibility.

The documentary also explores the notion that, in many cases, the most successful comedians are the ones who are willing to take big risks and go out on a limb. At times, they may even be willing to offend their audience in order to elicit a reaction.

Overall, Misery Loves Comedy is a thoughtful and engaging exploration of the relationship between comedy and tragedy. Despite its heavy subject matter, the film is filled with humor, warmth, and infectious energy. It is a fascinating study of the people behind the punchlines and the powerful role that laughter can play in our lives. Something everyone, whether they are a part of the comedy world or not will come away with enjoying.

Misery Loves Comedy is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 51.