Comedian (2002)

A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a successful act and career while living a life on the road.

Director:

Christian Charles

Stars:

Jerry Seinfeld, Greg Giraldo, Chris Rock

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Seinfeld	...	Comedian
Greg Giraldo	...	Comedian (as Greg Geraldo)
Sherrod Small	...	Comedian
Jim Norton	...	Comedian
Allan Havey	...	Comedian
Colin Quinn	...	Comedian
Cynthia Koury	...	Comedian
Orny Adams	...	Comedian
George Wallace	...	Comedian
Robert Klein	...	Comedian
T. Sean Shannon	...	Comedian (as T Sean Shannon)
Gary Greenberg	...	Comedian
Shawn Seymour	...	Comedian
Richard Spector	...	Comedian
Michael Britt	...	Comedian

Storyline

Fresh from the success of his sitcom, comedian Jerry Seinfeld decided to do the unimaginable: he completely retired his stand-up act, electing to start over again by developing entirely new material. "Comedian" follows Seinfeld through this process, as he rehearses in front of small comedy club audiences, meets with fellow comics and finally appears before a national audience.

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Plot Keywords:

comedian | stand up comedian | comedy club | stool | reference to bill cosby | 

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Taglines:

There are no second acts in American lives. There are, however, a few hecklers.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 2003 (Norway)

Also Known As:

Anatomy of a Joke

Filming Locations:

Ed Sullivan Theatre - 1697 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$60,224 (USA) (11 October 2002)

Gross:

$2,744,253 (USA) (20 December 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bridgnorth Films, New Material

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Comedian: I have no idea what the curve is, of when it's gonna... feel like it used to feel.
Comedian: When you're killing... you're up there killing, and you're miserable. That's how you'll know.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits end, there's a short scene in which Colin Quinn tells Seinfeld a very old joke.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.27 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"My Favorite Things"
Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Published by Williamson Music (ASCAP)
Performed by John Coltrane
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Blood, sweat and jokes.

This documentary is for someone who thinks stand up comedy is easy. No one has an idea what goes on behind the scenes, even the great Jerry Seinfeld, who after a hit TV series decides he wants to go back to the places that gave him his break.

We can feel the pain of newcomers such as Orny Adams who is trying to begin a career as a comedian. His presence in the film makes one understand the frustrations these actors go through on a nightly basis wherever they face a public that wants to be entertained with non stop jokes. It is very hard indeed to be able to do it every time.

The documentary is very fast in the sure hands of Christian Charles who obviously has an eye for capturing the comedians at their most vulnerable points.

We get to see a shaky Seinfeld trying new material. Sometimes he is good, but sometimes he really stink. He has been away from the scene for such a long time that it takes him a while to find his feet. His scenes with Bill Cosby, the great Robert Klein and others are the best things going with the film.

People in general will have a second view after seeing this movie about the funny men in comedy clubs.