The Comedy, directed by Rick Alverson, premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival and caused throngs of walk outs, praise, hatred and controversy. People looked down on the film, which showcases a trust fund hipster named Swanson in his mid 30s who wanders around Brooklyn, literally causing havoc. Within the first ten minutes of the film, Swanson tries & fails to get a rise out of his fathers caretaker, as his father withers away. The film is what you might call an “ANTI” film — anti-comedy, anti-audience, anti-hero. It does nothing the conventional way, in the sense that the movie SHOULD begin with a bad guy, who then SHOULD see the error of his ways, but does it end this way — ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
As the movie begins, Swanson is an asshole, during the middle STILL an asshole, and as it ends, with a shocking moment that shows the audience that no one could fathom the degree of how GREAT an asshole Swanson really and truly is. It’s actually kind of invigorating to see what this group of creators have come together to make, because it is such an unconventional movie.
The movie has scenes which run entirely too long, and I personally believe this is done purposely, to take us out of the feel of being “in a movie”, and place us in “reality.” A reality that gives us the film’s ultimate statement which: to Swanson & his ‘gang of cronies’, life feels hollow. It feels empty, and is filled with the monotonous feeling that nothing significant HAS happened OR will happen. Tim Heidecker honestly gives a truly great performance, and I see The Comedy being very cultish and is a movie film buffs for years to come may refer to. Though it is hard to watch at times, with it being very offensive, while at other times exuding the feeling that nothing is happening on the screen.
Swanson doesn’t care about you or himself, he puts himself in awkward positions just to feel something–ANYTHING! His “pranks” range from defending Hitler’s action to impersonating a Southern slave owner (and that’s just the beginning of crazy). He sees a worker remodeling a front yard, as he walks over to the owner impersonating the boss and negotiates to get his Hispanic workers a “dip in the pool”. There’s a moment in the film where Swanson takes a job as a dishwasher making $7.50 an hour. It’s the constant need to fit in, and feel normal that Swanson strives for.
Overall the film is a conversation piece, it promises to leave you thinking about this movie and talking about this movie long after you’ve left the theater. You’ll either talk about why you love/hate it, but either way you’ll be passionate about it. And a reaction was all that Swanson wanted to pull out of anyone.
