I really enjoyed this documentary. It follows Jerry Seinfeld as he tries to hone his standup act to get back on the road. It also follows another Orny Adams, a guy who wants to be the next Seinfeld. Adams comes off as sort of a jerk. The guy has a formula for success and is sticking to it...eventually landing a gig on Letterman. After that the movie loses track with him and you sort of wonder what happened to him. (I've never heard of the guy before today.) I liked watching the behind the scenes look at Jerry and some of the countless other comedians in the movie talking about their craft. I read in Eberts review that the movie was shot with 2 "store bought" cameras over a year. He said the movie looked ****ty and they should have hired a real cinematographer to shoot the movie. I disagree...I know from experience that the high end store bought cameras allow you to get more intimate with the subject and after awhile the people just get used to having you around and act more natural. That's why I enjoyed this movie...it didn't have a big Hollywood production feel to it. I expected a documentary of sorts and that's what I got.
Adams is still around, still keeping at the show business thing, and still opening for Seinfeld on occasion. He apparently just finished a stint at Penguin's Comedy Club in Bettendorf, Iowa. http://www.ornyadams.com I got the feeling that if this film were in the fictional "Seinfeld" universe, it would be Jerry throwing Kenny Banya a bone Anyway, the movie isn't bad, but it isn't great either. IMHO, The audience never really gets any great insight into how comedians (Seinfeld in particular) come up with their stuff -- which is supposed to be the point (i.e.: "Anatomy of a Joke") Watching this film reminded me a lot of listening to a scratchy bootleg. If you love Seinfeld's stand-up (as opposed to the show), it is a great and fascinating 90 minutes. Otherwise, it is just "okay," and you are probably better off just watching the finished product.
Remember when Jerry was thin, had all of his hair and was funny? Was Larry David the power behind the theone (at least in the funny department)? I saw Seinfield on Letterman recently and he was about as funny as Chevy Chase in a Dan Ackroyd movie.
Larry David made Seinfield. There was an obvious difference when he left the show one season. Not nearly as funny.
this movie looks really intruiging. i am looking forward to seeing it soon... think its on kazaa yet?
