Review of The Comedy (2012) by Marshall U — 24 Jun 2015

When Rick Alverson's film first came out it created reactions from high praise to condemnation. At the time, I was quite perplexed by AO Scott's review. I found a great deal of "interesting perspective" on not only the main character but also the limited views I was offered of his pals.

There is no "critical distance" to be found in Alverson's film -- and that is largely the point. The film presents a level of white male entitlement and human cruelty without offering any evaluation or background.

With an amazing cast of realistic and effective actors, all we really need to know is passively communicated in the sad eyes and pointless actions. We might not like "Swanson" or any of his friends, but viewers would need to be equally emotionally-stunted, damaged and as casually cruel as these character to not see the tragic darkness displayed.

There is nothing "funny" about THE COMEDY. It is an effectively disaffected and provocative character study of disconnection, anger, and sadness that appears to be rendering Swanson and his "friends" into a state of sociopathic cruelty.

I don't like labels. They are too easy and a lazy way to "categorize" aspects of both art and life. I'm not sure that it was Alverson's intent to make a sweeping cultural commentary.

It doesn't matter. The thing that most struck me back in 2012 and now is the power here is that THE COMEDY is horrifyingly realistic. I know some of these men and the women who always seem to be attracted to them.

This is a masterful film from all perspectives.