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Comedian

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Comedian (2002)

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Reviews Counted:88

Fresh:67

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.8/10

Consensus: Comedian is an insightful look at the hard work of creating comedy.

Runtime: 82 mins

Genre: Comedies

US Box Office: $2,683,160

Synopsis: In this endearing documentary, Jerry Seinfeld shares the challenges and triumphs of returning to the stand-up stage after having made his fame with his eponymous television series. Starting out at... In this endearing documentary, Jerry Seinfeld shares the challenges and triumphs of returning to the stand-up stage after having made his fame with his eponymous television series. Starting out at gritty New York City venues like The Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club, and Caroline's, Seinfeld slowly readjusts to live performances. Backstage in between shows he chats with fellow comedians Colin Quinn and Chris Rock about writing and introducing new material, dealing with dead audiences, and getting comfortable on stage. These conversations convey a compassion and understanding about the struggles faced by all comedians, especially those who are much less established than Seinfeld. One such upstart, Orny Adams, is prominently featured in the film. A determined 29-year-old who wants fame and fortune more than anything else, Orny's journey takes him from the same small NYC venues where Seinfeld performs, to a signing with a manager, and tours to Montreal and L.A. This subplot casts Seinfeld's laid-back personality and more mature approach in a unique light. As Seinfeld graduates to bigger theaters and longer acts, working his way up to a 60-minute show, he finds inspiration in fellow comedians. The climax of the film is Seinfeld's meeting with Bill Cosby, a moment he calls one of the most important of his career. COMEDIAN, directed by Christian Charles and produced by Gary Streiner, is a gift to Seinfeld fans, while its positive tone and uplifting message will appeal to all audiences. [More]

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Orny Adams

Director: Christian Charles

Director: Christian Charles
Producer: Gary Streiner
Studio: Miramax Films

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Reviews for Comedian

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Mark Halverson
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Um olhar fascinante sobre os bastidores da comédia stand-up.

comment Comment
03/08/04
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
09/05/03
Stephen Kelly
Stephen Kelly
PopMatters
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: iofilm.co.uk | comment Comment
08/04/03
Ignatz Ratskiwatski
Ignatz Ratskiwatski
iofilm.co.uk

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/07/03
Greg Muskewitz
Greg Muskewitz
eFilmCritic.com

It’s both endlessly intriguing and side-splittingly funny.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/22/03
David Cornelius
David Cornelius
eFilmCritic.com

Think sausage. It’s gristly, filled with fat, and even if you like standup comedy, you might not want to see it done.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
05/20/03
Mark Robison
Mark Robison
Reno Gazette-Journal

Being funny is serious business.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
04/13/03
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Choppy editing and too many repetitive scenes spoil what could have been an important documentary about stand-up comedy.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/06/03
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
02/17/03
Hollywood.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Digital-video documentary about stand-up comedians is a great glimpse into a very different world.

Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
02/11/03
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Netflix

Comedian never comes full circle with the intimate details surrounding the personal life of Jerry Seinfeld. The real romanticism is about a man and his love affair with one main dancing partner—the companion called comedy.

Full Review Source: TheWorldJournal.com | comment Comment
02/02/03
Frank Ochieng
Frank Ochieng
TheWorldJournal.com

You might be shocked to discover that Seinfeld's real life is boring.

Full Review Source: Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah) | comment Comment
01/14/03
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

It doesn't have a narrative arc so much as it sips from the snifter of the life of a comedian, but that does not detract from its interest one bit.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
12/14/02
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

Those with an interest in the art of stand-up will revel in this, and there's enough laughs to sustain it for those not looking to overintellectualize things.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Chris Iorfida
Chris Iorfida
Film Threat

Ultra-cheap and incorrigibly lo-fi, Comedian doesn't have much rhyme or reason, or a point.

Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
11/26/02
Eugene Novikov
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

What's missing most from Comedian is the stand-up act that Seinfeld is so carefully crafting.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
11/25/02
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune
 
 
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