Directed by: Rick Alverson
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, James Murphy, Gregg Turkington, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rasmussen, Jeff Jensen
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Tribeca Film
Running time: 94 minutes
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
Right off the bat, you see Tim Heidecker starring in a film called “The Comedy” and expect this hilarious film like their recent “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie”. Well you will be thrown for a real loop when you find out that this is actually not a comedy at all and very much a drama – well maybe a dramedy, since there is some funny parts. Fans of Tim and Eric though, be prepared since even though Eric Wareheim appears in the film, this is not a Tim and Eric project. But that doesn’t mean that it is a bad thing. Tim really gets a chance to shine in this film and gives a really wonderful dramatic performance, yes I am being serious here! “The Comedy” is a really well written and executed film.
Official Premise: 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.
The film was an official selection at 2012 Sundance Film Festival and I have been dying to see this film ever since. It is being distributed by Tribeca Film (one of my favs), is available now on VOD and set for theatrical release on November 9, 2012. This film really deserves a lot of attention and I hope it gets Tim recognized for his fantastic performance. There is still some raunch material included here from his days of “Tim & Eric” but it is blended in so well that it works and doesn’t overtake the drama. This is highly recommended and easily one of the best indie films that I have seen all year! Tribeca Film has done it again and gave life to a film that would have otherwise gone a miss.