Edgy, Crazy, Scary I was mesmerized from the first few seconds: “What IS this?!” The fast editing, profanity, twists and turns of this movie are spellbinding. This is a flashback classic “WhoDoneIt” enveloped into a macabre comedic presentation. One of the best films I’ve seen to date.
From clown to ‘gettin’ down!’ A coked-up, alcoholic narcissist making money by catering his stand-up ‘shtick’ to his like-minded contemporaries in dimly lit bars like the Bull Pit personifies our protagonist, Joey Frisk, at least to the eye. This comedian was behind in child support and rent, and and just came off as a making it day-to-day, near-do-well, who-cares kind of chap. Consequently, when he once again began his disgusting hyperbole regarding some woman, I felt like shutting this down, and then… WOW! Frank began his magic!Justin Molotnikov, Writer and Director, methodically paced Frank’s character to move this piece along like athriller ought to move. Indeed, we got to know at least the facade of the two main characters fairly well and then, like a train that hit’s a long 7% grade, we watch the whole thing unfold in a manner which cannot be stopped.The subject matter is dark; the things we do to ourselves and others in order to survive make us, at times, walking talking paradoxes and that is what Joey had become. But, will he grow to be as dangerous as Frank? Malcom Shields and Stephen McCole are exceptional!!! Included: Bawdiness, humor, drama, thrills, depth of character, redemption.
I purchased CRYING WITH LAUGHTER after seeing Stephen McCole on stage in BLACK WATCH and reading his program bio. For me, one of the gifts of the film was the opportunity to see this wonderful actor playing a character so entirely different that it took some effort to recognize him. His performance and preparation for the role of a down-and-out, small-time standup comic is revelatory. Almost as fascinating as the fictional story is the true story that inspired the making of the film, which is presented in an interview with the two lead actors and the director on the second disc.
Edgy, Crazy, Scary I was mesmerized from the first few seconds: “What IS this?!” The fast editing, profanity, twists and turns of this movie are spellbinding. This is a flashback classic “WhoDoneIt” enveloped into a macabre comedic presentation. One of the best films I’ve seen to date.
From clown to ‘gettin’ down!’ A coked-up, alcoholic narcissist making money by catering his stand-up ‘shtick’ to his like-minded contemporaries in dimly lit bars like the Bull Pit personifies our protagonist, Joey Frisk, at least to the eye. This comedian was behind in child support and rent, and and just came off as a making it day-to-day, near-do-well, who-cares kind of chap. Consequently, when he once again began his disgusting hyperbole regarding some woman, I felt like shutting this down, and then… WOW! Frank began his magic!Justin Molotnikov, Writer and Director, methodically paced Frank’s character to move this piece along like athriller ought to move. Indeed, we got to know at least the facade of the two main characters fairly well and then, like a train that hit’s a long 7% grade, we watch the whole thing unfold in a manner which cannot be stopped.The subject matter is dark; the things we do to ourselves and others in order to survive make us, at times, walking talking paradoxes and that is what Joey had become. But, will he grow to be as dangerous as Frank? Malcom Shields and Stephen McCole are exceptional!!! Included: Bawdiness, humor, drama, thrills, depth of character, redemption.
I purchased CRYING WITH LAUGHTER after seeing Stephen McCole on stage in BLACK WATCH and reading his program bio. For me, one of the gifts of the film was the opportunity to see this wonderful actor playing a character so entirely different that it took some effort to recognize him. His performance and preparation for the role of a down-and-out, small-time standup comic is revelatory. Almost as fascinating as the fictional story is the true story that inspired the making of the film, which is presented in an interview with the two lead actors and the director on the second disc.