The Comedy

Name: The Comedy
Genre: Drama
Released: November 9, 2012
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 46
Cast: James Murphy, Tim Heidecker

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Ratings

See All

6.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Comedy

Now Playing: The Comedy

Movie Details & Credits

Tribeca Film | Release Date: November 9, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: James Murphy, Tim Heidecker

Summary: On the cusp of inheriting his father's estate, Swanson is a man with unlimited options. An aging hipster in Brooklyn, he spends his days in aimless recreation with like-minded friends 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 acceptableOn the cusp of inheriting his father's estate, Swanson is a man with unlimited options. An aging hipster in Brooklyn, he spends his days in aimless recreation with like-minded friends 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. Heidecker’s deadpan delivery cleverly masks a deep desire for connection and sense in the modern world. (Tribeca Film)… Expand

Director: Rick Alverson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The Playlist Christopher Bell

Nov 8, 2012

It's a meaty film, filled with ideas unobscured by any generic narrative string, a move that shows not only the confidence of the director but his respect of the audience. This is one that'll have people talking. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Nov 7, 2012

There's genuine pain at the core of Heidecker's character - or at least a numbness where the pain used to reside - but the film is keen on obscuring it. Read full review

Joseph Jon Lanthier

Nov 4, 2012

Tim Heidecker's Swanson does not amuse us in spite of the pity he inspires but because of it. Read full review

Karina Longworth

Nov 7, 2012

There's not a false note in the film, but maybe there's a difference between accuracy and truth. Read full review

David Rooney

Nov 7, 2012

The anomie of entitlement pushed to poisonous extremes is the basis of this provocation, which is as frustrating as it is intriguing. Read full review

Leah Churner

Nov 28, 2012

The film retreads much of the anti-comedic territory already bulldozed in Heidecker and Wareheim's own "Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie," retaining the scatological flavor but none of the surrealism. Read full review

David Lewis

Nov 23, 2012

The Comedy, one of the most self-indulgent, pretentious and unfunny movies of the year, is a mean-spirited piece of mumblecore that tries to provoke you, but only succeeds in boring you. Read full review

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Evolutionary

Mar 12, 2013

The Comedy, alongside The Master, was far and away the best film of last year. The low critic reviews are a little suprising, but not so much when we consider Kaufman's tragically low rating of 67 for Synechdoche New York. Sometimes they get it wrong. Firstly, Heidecker's turn as the lead inThe Comedy, alongside The Master, was far and away the best film of last year. The low critic reviews are a little suprising, but not so much when we consider Kaufman's tragically low rating of 67 for Synechdoche New York. Sometimes they get it wrong. Firstly, Heidecker's turn as the lead in a serious film was criminally passed over. Naturalistic, realistic acting appears to be becoming a thing of the past in mainstream film, so his portrayal in this is refreshing. The movie is not a comedy, but it is very funny in parts, thanks mainly to Tim's cruel deadpan and his chemistry with Eric Wareheim. It's a character study, and one that finally targets the apathy and emotional distance of aging 30 year olds who aren't willing or able to let go of their youth or play the 'game.' Looking forward to seeing another film from the director, who has the potential of being a darker harsher Noah Baumbach.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

samichsupernova

Jan 6, 2016

This movie is hard to watch at times but by God, is it brilliant. What makes it so are the tiny glimpses of humanity in between Swanson's total disregard, apathy, and childish recklessness. The style of directing and acting complement one another so well and atmosphere and tone are justThis movie is hard to watch at times but by God, is it brilliant. What makes it so are the tiny glimpses of humanity in between Swanson's total disregard, apathy, and childish recklessness. The style of directing and acting complement one another so well and atmosphere and tone are just perfectly set. Anyone who has lived in either NYC or Los Angeles probably knows someone like Tim Heidecker's character, or at least one of his friends. I wanted so badly for whatever is good in this man to come bursting forth, even though you know it isn't going to happen because there isn't an ounce of authenticity in him... or is there? This character is a total enigma. I had no idea Heidecker was capable of this kind of nuanced performance. What a misunderstood treasure this film is.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Xanifur

Sep 27, 2013

This movie is mind-bendingly brilliant. It has such a personality I felt like I was somehow in this "story." A man who seems to resent life getting into random situations while waiting for his father to die. No real plot to follow. This movie has stuck with me ever since I watched it,This movie is mind-bendingly brilliant. It has such a personality I felt like I was somehow in this "story." A man who seems to resent life getting into random situations while waiting for his father to die. No real plot to follow. This movie has stuck with me ever since I watched it, and has to be one of the best films of recent years. Tim Heidecker showed me he isn't about all about stupidity/stoner comedy and fills this role perfectly.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ryanneevman

Dec 23, 2014

I really like this movie. It is a strange one, but it is not every day when something like this comes down the pike. The comedy is a movie might make you a little annoyed at times, but after it, you realize it is a good kind of annoyance.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

APHmetacritic

Jan 4, 2015

A week before watching The Comedy I watched Charlie Kaufman's Adaptation, a film in which the character Charlie Kaufman struggles to write a screenplay about an eccentric and fairly unlikeable man. No plot, no character development, no overcoming obstacles, and a main character the audienceA week before watching The Comedy I watched Charlie Kaufman's Adaptation, a film in which the character Charlie Kaufman struggles to write a screenplay about an eccentric and fairly unlikeable man. No plot, no character development, no overcoming obstacles, and a main character the audience is likely to hate. Who would watch such a film? Would it even be considered a "proper" film, he wonders. "No! What a terrible idea for a movie!" everyone tells him and so, ultimately, Adaptation turns into your standard Hollywood movie, complete with car chases, gun fights, and people being eaten by alligators.

It got me wondering "Could such a film be made? Has anyone made a film like that?" Turns out, they did and it's called the Comedy. If anything, it's a brave film for daring to go against all the Screenwriting 101 conventions, all the rules everyone insists writers stick to. It's a subtle film, a dark film, and the kind of movie you need to watch in its entirety and then, when it's over, sit there and wonder "what the hell did I just watch?" And then a day or two later you find yourself thinking about it again. *That*, for me, is an indication that I've watched a pretty brilliant film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

olof

Apr 5, 2013

I can't understand people saying it's the second best film of last year. It's a quite boring tale about an old hipster in Brooklyn. Often having abusive monologues to strangers, who in some strange way just numbly stare at him. Then he meets his friends and they do some ordinary thing likeI can't understand people saying it's the second best film of last year. It's a quite boring tale about an old hipster in Brooklyn. Often having abusive monologues to strangers, who in some strange way just numbly stare at him. Then he meets his friends and they do some ordinary thing like playing baseball, of course with a cool song playing as a soundtrack.

All in all pretty boring.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS