Watch The Comedy
- NR
- 2012
- 1 hr 34 min
-
6.3 (5,434)
The Comedy is a 2012 film directed by Rick Alverson and starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and James Murphy. The movie stars Tim Heidecker as Swanson, an aging Brooklyn hipster who is adrift in life, drinking, and living off his inheritance. Swanson has no job, no friends, and no real ambition, so he spends his days wandering the city, making jokes at the expense of others and generally behaving badly. However, when his father falls ill, Swanson is forced to confront his lifestyle and try to find some meaning in his existence.
The film is a satire of modern culture and the way that many young people today live their lives. It is a dark comedy that is both funny and uncomfortable to watch at times. Heidecker is excellent in the lead role and manages to capture the essence of the character perfectly. He is both smug and self-deprecating, and his comedic timing is spot-on. Wareheim, who co-wrote the film with Alverson and Heidecker, is also very good as Swanson's friend, and the two have a great chemistry on screen. Murphy, the former frontman of LCD Soundsystem, shows his acting chops in a small but important role.
The film is shot in a very naturalistic style, with a lot of long takes and moments of silence. It is a slow-burn type of film that rewards patience and careful observation. There are many scenes that are uncomfortable to watch, but they are all important in building the character of Swanson and showing the audience what kind of person he is. The use of music is also very effective, with the soundtrack featuring tracks from LCD Soundsystem, Joanna Newsom, and others.
One of the central themes of The Comedy is the idea of privilege, and the way that people who have it can be completely lost in their own lives. Swanson is a classic example of this, someone who has everything he needs but nothing he wants. He is bored, unfulfilled, and lacks any real direction in life. However, as the film progresses, we can see that Swanson is not just a caricature of a hipster, but a real person with real problems. He is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is getting older, that his father is dying, and that he has no real legacy to leave behind.
Another theme of the film is the way that people use humor as a defense mechanism. Swanson and his friends are constantly making jokes and mocking others, but this is often a way for them to avoid dealing with their own problems. Humor can be a way to connect with others, but it can also be a way to push them away. The film explores this theme in a very nuanced way and is very effective in showing the different ways that people use humor to cope with life.
The Comedy is not a film for everyone. It is slow, deliberate, and at times, uncomfortable to watch. However, for those who enjoy dark comedies and are willing to take the time to appreciate the nuances of the film, it is a rewarding experience. The performances are excellent, and the film's themes are thought-provoking and relevant. Overall, The Comedy is a great film that deserves more attention than it has received.
The Comedy is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 46.