The Comedy

[BillBrasky]

Release Date: November 9, 2012 (limited)
Studio: Tribeca Film
Director: Rick Alverson
Screenwriter: Rick Alverson, Robert Donne, Colm O'Leary
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, James Murphy, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rasmussen, Gregg Turkington
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: TribecaFilm.com/TheComedy

Plot Summary: On the cusp of inheriting his father's estate, Swanson (Tim Heidecker, "Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!") is a man with unlimited options. An aging hipster in Brooklyn, he spends his days in aimless recreation with like-minded friends ("Tim & Eric" co-star Eric Wareheim, LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy and comedian Gregg Turkington a.k.a."Neil Hamburger") in games of comic irreverence and mock sincerity. As Swanson grows restless of the safety a sheltered life offers him, he tests the limits of acceptable behavior, pushing the envelope in every way he can. Heidecker's deadpan delivery cleverly masks a deep desire for connection and sense in the modern world. "The Comedy" wears its name on its sleeve, but director Rick Alverson's powerful and provocative character study touches a darkness behind the humor that resonates with viewers long after the story ends.

Trailer:

[Fritz Zwicky]

Early word seems to indicate that people are pretty well repulsed by this film, and by Tim Heidecker's performance in particular. I'm fascinated by the concept, and I'm excited to read a proper review (as opposed to festival reporting) once one comes out. Heidecker's comedy (not to mention his jerky persona in interviews) has always struck me as coming from a place of real rage, and it'll be interesting to see how that comes through in this movie.

[John?]

Early word seems to indicate that people are pretty well repulsed by this film, and by Tim Heidecker's performance in particular. I'm fascinated by the concept, and I'm excited to read a proper review (as opposed to festival reporting) once one comes out. Heidecker's comedy (not to mention his jerky persona in interviews) has always struck me as coming from a place of real rage, and it'll be interesting to see how that comes through in this movie.

I'm no Tim Heidecker expert, but I think that's a part of his comedic persona. He seems to enjoy mocking that "I'm better than you" personality, and yeah, he's really good at it, but if you listen to some interviews with him out of character, he's a much more mellow and laid back kind of guy. I have heard he takes that character to a place that seems to be repulsing people, which seems to be the intended reaction.

[Couldn'tThinkOfaName]

I can't wait for Brasky's review.

[Fritz Zwicky]

I know that when he appears on CBB, it's all an act, but I'm thinking specifically of when he appeared on The Lavender Hour with his wife. Maybe he was being a little funny sometimes, but I'm pretty sure it was mostly just a casual chat and he came across as very judgmental and annoyed at little things.

Oh, and how about seeing Neil Hamburger out of character? Exciting. Has Gregg Turkington ever made an appearance as himself on WTF or anything along those lines?

[perdothegit]

I saw The Comedy at a festival earlier this year and I liked the movie, if not the characters in it, quite a bit. Tim seems like he would be capable of handling a straight acting role sometime in the future.

[SnubbleBubb]

Heidecker's comedy (not to mention his jerky persona in interviews) has always struck me as coming from a place of real rage, and it'll be interesting to see how that comes through in this movie.

Good comment and an interesting way to approach the work of T&E. I don't really think of them as angry comics but I do sense that their disgust for the world in which we live is the main driving force behind their approach. Rampant commercialism is their main theme, I feel, and they skewer it perfectly.

I can't wait for The Comedy. I feel like it could suggest a whole new direction for Tim and Eric and send them down another path through the next phase of their lives. They are truly the most exciting comedians to emerge on the scene in years and I'm glad they're finally hitting.

[BillBrasky]

I can't wait for Brasky's review.

Not sure how facetious you were being, but I thought the movie was interesting. The premise of it was kind of "What would it be like if you took the Tim and Eric aesthetic, and brought it into the real world- would their ridiculous, nonsensical humor still be funny, or would it be kind of irritating and annoying?" It turns out that the latter is the case, and it also is a little tragically pathetic watching grown men behave this way in real life situations.

It does seem like Heidecker is interested in getting into more dramatic acting- if you read his AV Club piece where he lists his favorite movies, it's a lot of Cassevetes and "Carnal Knowledge" and "King of Comedy" and pretty heavy comedy/drama stuff. This movie was kind of in that vein, very uncomfortable to watch and I can't really say I "liked" the movie. I'm not sure what the point is of making a movie where you're not supposed to like any of the characters. It's interesting as a sociological exercise I guess, but it doesn't really lend itself to being a movie you want to rewatch over and over. Still, I thought this was a successful attempt to bring their personas into the realm of more dramatic acting and it was certainly worth watching.

[smartbunny]

The fact that people are wrinkling their noses and walking out being all, "Well, I NEVER!" is a good sign to me.

[funkyrhino]

The fact that people are wrinkling their noses and walking out being all, "Well, I NEVER!" is a good sign to me.

so it's like the Human Centipede of comedy movies?

[smartbunny]

IF ONLY!

[nathansmart]

So it's been talked about a little bit in the movie thread but I loved this movie. I've watched it twice now and I can't get enough of the way Tim acts in this. The conversations he has with Gregg Turkington's character are so funny and I just love how they make fun of that one friend of theirs. The taxi cab scene makes me laugh so hard every time and I love the dishwashing scenes with the waitress.

[Phil]

I love Tim & Eric, but can on take about 15 minutes of them each sitting. Perfect for their Awesome Show, but it took me 3-4 times to get through each of their films. They're the kings of awkwardness, I just have trouble taking 90 minutes of it.

[jkwall]

I love Tim & Eric, but can on take about 15 minutes of them each sitting. Perfect for their Awesome Show, but it took me 3-4 times to get through each of their films. They're the kings of awkwardness, I just have trouble taking 90 minutes of it.

Did you watch this? It isn't "their" film? It's awkward, but in a very different way.

One of my favorite movies this year. Definitely top three.

[Jixby Phillips]

YEAH PHIL SHUT UP AND FUCK YOU

[suavepebble]

It's worth watching, guys. I think the problem some people have in liking or even explaining this movie has to do with the film engaging in this weird territory where you think you may be watching something that's funny (or maybe moreso, something trying to be funny? Hard to say), but there is nothing funny about it. It fucks with you... it's a movie that fucks with you a little bit.

[jkwall]

Yeah, there's definitely a pretty defined structure to the movie. You get a scene (or a part of a scene) where Swanson seems harmless and hilarious, followed by a scene where you realize he's a pretty despicable person. Yet somehow the hilarious scenes always make you want to assume the best, no matter how racist, sexist, or sociopathic you just saw him.

[nathansmart]

Maybe the biggest problem is that we see Tim doing it. If it was someone like, say, Sean William Scott or maybe even someone like Chris Klein or something maybe it wouldn't be as funny. The real Tim Heidecker does these funny characters that do really douchey things and it makes us laugh because we know he's just being ironic or playing an awful person (like when Tim steals the toilet paper salesman's son in the billion dollar movie). Maybe it's just Tim from T&EB$M in real life...

[Phil]

Did you watch this? It isn't "their" film? It's awkward, but in a very different way.

I did. I realize they didn't write or direct it, but it certainly feels like a drama they would make. I thought it was good - just tough to watch.

[Jixby Phillips]

I'm sorry I said "shut up and fuck you" to you