DeNiro Tries To Be "The Comedian" To Mixed Results

The Comedian (2017)

Rated R

Starring Robert DeNiro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Edie Falco, Charles Grodin,

Directed by Taylor Hackford

The Story:

Jack Burke (DeNiro) is an aging insult comic who is relegated to playing small clubs because that's all his manager (Falco) can get him booked for. However, when he's booked for assault, his community service leads him to new opportunities, both personally and professionally.

I guess the biggest question from this film would be "what went wrong"?

The cast, including those named above and those that I didn't list are a phenomenal group of actors and real life comedians.

Yet the biggest complaint of this movie is that it isn't funny.

I don't think it was supposed to be.

It's a dramedy.

There is humor in it, but the proceedings aren't slapstick fall down funny.

Perhaps it wasn't dramatic enough, or funny enough, as it tries to tow the line and be the best of both worlds.

Or perhaps it's the romantic subplot between Jack and Harmony (Mann) who meet during community service?

Not sure.

It wasn't a must-see movie, but it held my attention throughout.

I laughed at the actually funny parts, and it held my interest through the dramatic.

Hey, I didn't turn the movie off, and since I consider that a sign of a really bad movie, it can't be all bad.

So it's not exactly what went wrong, more of what could they have done better?

I think the biggest thing, as an insult comic, the world has to love the man doing the insults.

See Don Rickles.

In this movie, nobody liked Jack, except his old fans, and they only liked the old sitcom Jack, a character he was desperately trying to forget.

So if you start with an unlikable character, you're already facing an uphill battle to earn the love from the audience.

It's a hard balance to achieve, and I think that all things considered, they did the best job possible.

Final Grade: C+

These Ladies Like To Party..."How To Be Single"

How To Be Single (2016)

Rated R

Starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Alison Brie, Anders Holm, Damon Wayans Jr., Nicholas Braun, Jake Lacy, Jason Mantzoukas,

Directed by Christian Ditter

The Story:

Alice (Johnson) has been dumped by her boyfriend (Braun), so she sets out to get over him with a new job, new friends, and a new attitude in New York City! Her circle of friends include Robin (Wilson), Meg (Mann), and Lucy (Brie) each with their own foibles and crises. Of course, in a town full of eligible bachelors, they ladies run into some interesting characters as well (Holm, Wayans Jr., Lacy, Mantzoukas). But, just when you think you know how these relationships are going to end, stick around, because you might be pleasantly surprised...or disappointed!

It's a tough line to balance an R rated comedy that wants to have both raunch and heart, and this film is no different.

Thankfully, it's a fantastic cast, so it's easy to laugh with, and at, their predicaments.

I won't spoil which couples work and which ones don't, because that's half the fun of the film is watching these characters learn to realize what is most important to them, and who do they want to spend their time with.

Another nice touch, as the film is focused on the ladies as the stars, the guys come off rather well, upending some cliches that often are standard with romantic comedy fare.

As usual, Jason Mantzoukas kills it in every scene he's in. I'm not sure if he'll ever be the lead in a comedy, but as long as they keep casting him as a supporting player, I'll always give that movie a chance!

It's a little long for a comedy, but not unbearably so. There's a bit of wandering in the narrative as well, which seems like a 2 birds with one stone killing could have made a few of the issues go away.


Final Grade: C+

Try Not To Offend "The Other Woman"

The Other Woman (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nikola Coster-Waldau, Don Johnson, Niki Minaj

Directed by Nick Cassavetes

The Story:

Carly (Diaz) is a successful lawyer who has found the guy of her dreams (Waldau).  However, when she finds out that he is married to Kate (Mann), she immediately ends things.  When Kate discovers that her husband was cheating on her, she becomes depressed, then obsessed with hanging out with Carly.  When they both discover that he had been cheating on BOTH of them with Amber (Upton), then it's on.  The trio team up to take the scumbag down.

This was much funnier the first time I saw it.  It was called "The First Wives Club".

:)

This version falls squarely into the "it's okay" pile.

Good, not great.

Diaz does fine as the lead.  The story does a nice job of ensuring that none of the ladies are to blame for anything.  This is all squarely on the shoulders of the guy.  None of the girls know the others even exist, so you can sympathize with each of them.

However, while I normally enjoy Mann's work in film, this time she dials the screeching nutjob up just a hair too much and spends much of the movie being annoying.  You would think that someone that smart and supposedly independent would be a little stronger and less needy when the chips are down.

Upton isn't given a whole lot to do except parade around in a bikini.

However, she's given a funny ending that you'll see coming but is still a nice payoff for her character by the end of the film.

Why they decided to include Niki Minaj in this film, besides being able to say "this is her first role" is beyond me as that role could have (should have) been given to anyone that can actually act. :)

Finally, it was nice to see Don Johnson pop up, albeit way too briefly in the film.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Sorry, not enough going for this one to merit a purchase or to really bother to see again.

Where Does the Time Go? "This is 40"

Nobody ever said life was easy...

The Story:

Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) are both celebrating their 40th birthdays.  Naturally, if that wasn't enough of a crisis, they have to deal with their kids, their relationship with their parents(John Lithgow, Albert Brooks), their relationship with each other and the stress and toll of their jobs on their life.

It's funny because it's true.

So you've seen this pair before if you saw Knocked Up.  Judd Apatow returns to write and direct this semi-sequel.  And there are indeed some quiet truths espoused amongst the go for the jugular comedic gags.

Some work better than others, but the performances by all of the actors save even the worst gags from failing (and flailing) on the screen.

The biggest problem... there's really no payoff.

The movie loops around leaves us almost back at the start. 

Has there been some character progress throughout the movie?  Yeah... a little, I guess.

But really, many of the questions aren't answered so much as they are pushed off to the side in favor of the next big gag.

It's a Judd Apatow comedy, what else was I supposed to expect?

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch it again if it's on, Rudd is always hilarious, but much like Knocked Up, I don't need to own it.