“Misery Loves Comedy, ” a documentary from Kevin Pollak has found a distributor at the Sundance Film festival. It will be released in North America by Tribeca Film.
Originally a standup comic who became an actor, Pollack has starred in over 100 movie and television shows including “The usual Suspects” and “Avalon.” This marks his directorial debut.
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“Misery Loves Comedy is a fascinating, unparalleled look inside the minds of some of the greatest and most beloved comedians of our time. Kevin Pollak has made a ‘must watch’ on the art of comedy, for casual enthusiasts, to connoisseurs, to aspiring comedians, ” said Todd Green, general manager of Tribeca Film.
The movie is basically an extended interview with more than 50 of the top comics in the world. In “Misery” Pollack explores the questions of what exactly is humor. Jon Favreau, Judd Apatow, Jason Alexander and Amy Schumer are among the Jews interviewed. The rest include Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Perry, Christopher Guest and Kevin Smith.
Variety was less than thrilled by it saying, “While Pollak poses some provocative questions behind the camera — including the inquiry that inspires the title, “Do you have to be miserable to be funny?” — his parade of celebrity talking heads only skim the surface of the comedic mind. Packing far more laughs than your average doc, the Tribeca Film acquisition could generate limited theatrical interest but seems a more logical fit for premium cable or digital outlets.”
But Firstshowing.Net loved it saying, “In the end, Pollak has delivered a fine first feature, full of passion and all of the right questions about comedy, even if the answers aren’t always on point. But the way the film meanders is also a testament as to how complex comedy is to explain, especially when you try to pinpoint its origins. Misery Loves Comedy may not have the ultimate answer of the question as to whether or not you have to be miserable to be funny, but it does offer captivating insight into the mind of those who make us laugh, and maybe even a reflective look into our own minds as to why we find them funny, which could be a little scary.”
