Shtickmen

If a group of high school students were to write and perform an 86-minute comedy for their fellow students, parents, the faculty and community, the outcome would be no better nor worse than this film. Their play would garner a few laughs, but most of the laughs would be forced, and for support. It would show the promise of certain writers and performers but the play itself would be mildly painful to sit through, and except for a few amusing bits, ultimately forgettable.

The IDEA of "Shtickmen" is amusing, some of what makes it to the screen is amusing, but mostly it is flat, as if filmed after its rushed first draft. Watching comedians poorly mock "hack comedy" felt a bit surreal. My friend was listening to it via the speaker in our living room and he wondered how I was able to sit through the whole thing. I explained that I found it fascinating in its badness.

Ah! It's the comedy equivalent of sitting through two commercial-free episodes of "American Idol". With its string of misses and mild hits, I recommend this to be watched with your friends while drinking.