COMEDIAN

COMEDIAN is a documentary-style movie about the life of Jerry Seinfeld, as he attempts to re-insinuate himself into the world of stand-up comedy clubs after his famous television show has ended. He has deep discussions with other comedians such as Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, and Jay Leno – about life, fears, hopes, disappointments, and victories.

The movie also shows the parallel career track of the brash, neurotic Omry Adams, a young comedian absolutely intent upon quick fame. Adams, at the ripe old age of thirty, expresses his angst about having possibly wasted too many years of his life. He laments that all his friends are marrying and buying houses, others are making big money on Wall Street, and here he is telling jokes. Seinfeld finds his attitude incredulous. He asks him, “Come on. Do you really have something else to be doing?” Yet, Jerrry confesses that, “When I was young, everyone was funny…. Then everyone (else) went off and got jobs!”

Between the deep discussions, the movie shows clips of comedy acts. One guy gets up and says, “I have a real problem with South Florida. I am very suspicious about that area…. I sent two perfectly healthy 65-year-olds there, and not 30 years later they were dead!” Lots of great laugh-out-loud’s….

The movie is very insightful about human nature. All the comedians, except maybe Bill Cosby, express their deep insecurities, despite lucrative careers. The young guy, Omry Adams, upon hearing that he has won a shot on the Letterman show, goes nuts, then comments: “I can never be happy. I was happy for four minutes, I made 55 phone calls, and now I’m miserable again!”

Agent Robert Klein agrees to represent Omry, and when Omry asks Klein if he believes he’ll become a big star, Klein answers, “Yes, but I think you’ll still be unhappy.” Another comedian counsels Omry to shut his mouth between sets… to let his work speak for itself, without all the mouthy self-promotion. Omry bristles at the rebuke.

Even as Jerry Seinfeld looks so comfortable onstage, he remarks, “It’s so hard to get comfortable! There are fleeting moments of comfort and ease, but the rest of the time I feel like I’m in my father’s suit…. What am I doing?” One guy remarks, “I got everything I wanted this year, and I’ve never been more stressed or miserable.” Interestingly, Jay Leno confesses that he has never touched his “Tonight Show” money, but he lives on his earlier income in comedy. He basically claims that one never knows when their time in the lights will be over.

The only genuinely confident-sounding comedian was Bill Cosby, who said, “I took what I had and knocked it out of the park. I love this career!”

One of the touching pieces of the documentary is the portrayal of Jerry’s family — his wife and his new baby, whom he obviously adores.

In general, COMEDIAN is an extremely insightful look into the deep heart issues of stand-up comedians. The moral of the story is that, no matter how fun and easy and glitzy things appear, people are people… all have the same hopes, fears and insecurities.

The movie may remind believers that there is no foundation like our God, that He, alone, is our hope. Worldly acclaim brings only brief moments of happiness and satisfaction, but lasting joy flows from abiding in relationship with the Lord.

If it weren’t for the excessive foul language, giving COMEDIAN an R-rating, it might otherwise be a great Christian study into the ways and longings of the human heart.