What is refreshing about this film is that it's not yet another glossy all-politically correct Hollywood piece of garbage for pure mindless entertainment. And that is why this film divides moviegoers into two such extreme camps.
The key theme and idea is fairly basic at its core - a stand-up comedian who struggles to redefine himself as e serious artist after quitting substance abuse. But the way the story is told and how the unravels is very engaging. It doesn't spoon-feed the key message to you, and you have to work just a little bit as a receptive viewer to pick up on some of the subtleties.
Throughout it is packed with smart and understated humour and satire, which is probably the key reason why it doesn't hit a chord with a lot of people. But well worth it. It's raw, funny, at times crass and it all works because none of it far fetched at all! The best kind of comedy is one that is interwoven into a drama, which is exactly what this film does.
On top of all that, the entire cast is pretty superb, and the acting is great. Whether Chris Rock can act or not is probably beside the point - cos he is just playing himself more or less. You can relate to and at least on some level identify with all the characters, who do a tremendous job of keeping the movie smart and witty.
America, this is how movies get made elsewhere in the world!
Definitely not for kids don't bother seeing it in a language other than English. But highly recommended viewing for anyone with an appreciation for good film making.
The key theme and idea is fairly basic at its core - a stand-up comedian who struggles to redefine himself as e serious artist after quitting substance abuse. But the way the story is told and how the unravels is very engaging. It doesn't spoon-feed the key message to you, and you have to work just a little bit as a receptive viewer to pick up on some of the subtleties.
Throughout it is packed with smart and understated humour and satire, which is probably the key reason why it doesn't hit a chord with a lot of people. But well worth it. It's raw, funny, at times crass and it all works because none of it far fetched at all! The best kind of comedy is one that is interwoven into a drama, which is exactly what this film does.
On top of all that, the entire cast is pretty superb, and the acting is great. Whether Chris Rock can act or not is probably beside the point - cos he is just playing himself more or less. You can relate to and at least on some level identify with all the characters, who do a tremendous job of keeping the movie smart and witty.
America, this is how movies get made elsewhere in the world!
Definitely not for kids don't bother seeing it in a language other than English. But highly recommended viewing for anyone with an appreciation for good film making.