Movie Review Monday: I Am Road Comic
Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!
This week's film is the 2014 documentary, I Am Road Comic.
A follow up to the 2010 documentary, I Am Comic, filmmaker Jordan Brady continues to explore the comedy industry, specifically focusing this time on the unique and tumultuous lives of touring standup comedians.
The previous film was a lot more broad and comprehensive about the comedy industry. I enjoyed it and thought it provided more engaging insights into the mindset and personality of comedians. I Am Road Comic was more focused and limited, and while interesting, was less engaging. I can appreciate though the no frills, genuine way this film was shot and produced. You're getting pretty raw interviews and footage from comedians of all stripes (Marc Maron, Pete Holmes, Nikki Glaser, and TJ Miller, among many others).
I love standup comedy. I don't watch as much as is available now. It's sort of an embarrassment of riches right now between seeing stuff live, YouTube, Netflix, and all the other on-demand video, podcast, and audio options out there. I am happy though that it is there and comedians can get so much more exposure and the art form is accessible to more people. The comedy community and industry is a unique one and it is in a bold new world with all the digital platforms and new, unique interpretations of stuff like sketch, improv, and standup. I Am Road Comic and I Am Comic examine different aspects of the past and present of profession, and it's neat (for me at least) to get behind the scenes.
Check out I Am Road Comic streaming right now on Netflix!