Comedy can be uplifting, thought-provoking, and controversial. It can make the audience laugh until they cry or cringe from second-hand embarrassment. However, being a comedian can also be full of drama. Between hecklers, rejection and the grind, there’s a dark underbelly of comedy that lingers behind the scenes.
Based on selections from Rotten Tomatoes, here are a few films that uncover the unsparing truths about the personal and professional lives of comedians. Each entry has its unique take on the matter but they all manage to prove that sometimes comedy is no laughing matter.
Joker: 68%
Although comedy is a major theme in Todd Phillip’s Joker, the film is anything but comedic. It’s an unsettling depiction of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a disturbed aspiring stand-up comedian and clown who eventually becomes the Joker. The film takes a hard-hitting look at mental health, trauma and white male-centred violence.
When the film premiered in 2019, it caused a massive divide among moviegoers due to its alarming material. It received a slew of Academy Award nominations and earned Phoenix his first Oscar for Best Actor in 2020. Although the film should be viewed with caution, it’s a startling unmasking of the dark side of comedy and the dangers of fame.
Late Night: 80%
This Mindy Kaling written comedy stars herself as Molly Patel, an aspiring comedy writer who gets the chance of a lifetime to join the team behind a late night talk show hosted by comic Katherine Newbury (played by Emma Thompson). On the brink of cancellation, Newberry’s show is stale, dated and uninspired.
It’s all up to Patel to help her revitalize not only her professional life but her personal one too. Beneath the comedy is a social commentary on sexism in the workplace and the importance of women supporting women.
The Opening Act: 82%
Fresh from his role on HBO’s Silicon Valley, stand up comedian Jimmy O. Yang is making waves on the big screen starring in Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Like A Boss (2020). Most recently, he took a starring role in The Opening Act, a film about a young amateur comic as he faces the pitfalls of show business after earning a headlining gig.
The movie is written and directed by fellow stand-up comedian Steve Byrne and features other comedy staples such as Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, and Ken Jeong in supporting roles. While it’s full of laughs and great one-liners, it also has heart and packs an emotional punch.
Sleepwalk With Me: 84%
Matt has a lot on his already overflowing plate. His career is not progressing, his relationship is stagnant and to top it all off, he’s suffering from a sleepwalking disorder. Never one to shy away from incorporating his personal life into his comedy, writer, star and director, Mike Birbiglia paints an empathic and absorbing tale that is equal parts heartfelt and funny.
The 2012 indie flick features clever fourth wall-breaking dialogue and a great cameo from comedy icon Marc Maron.
Top Five: 85%
No stranger to comedy, Chris Rock wrote and directed this film about Andre Allen, a fictional celebrity comedian who’s trying to transition into more dramatic roles. A journalist, Chelsea (Rosario Dawson), interviews him over the course of the film while Allen attempts to juggle his struggling career and his upcoming nuptials to a reality television star.
At the film’s core is a big question about whether or not success and fame are mutually exclusive. The picture includes appearances by Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones and Cedric the Entertainer.
The King of Comedy: 89%
A departure from the usual Martin Scorsese flare, The King of Comedy (1982) is a dark film about the dangers of idolization and why you should never meet your heroes. Frequent Scorsese collaborator, Robert De Niro plays Rupert Pupkin, a wannabe stand-up comedian suffering from a severe case of phantasm.
His delusions of grandeur reach their peak when he plots to kidnap Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), a late-night talk show host, and scam his way into being a guest on the show. There’s no doubt that 2019’s Joker is heavily influenced by this black comedy, which is a testament to its relevance nearly 40 years later.
Obvious Child: 90%
Jenny Slate plays Donna, a comic who spends her nights on stage telling jokes in dingy bars and dives. When she becomes pregnant after a one-night stand, she is forced to make a decision about whether or not she wants to continue the pregnancy.
Slate crafts an emotionally engaging performance that makes the character feel real and relatable. Gillian Robespierre’s script is full of rich and dark humor that is both respectful and mature when it comes to confronting sensitive topics, which not only makes it a must watch but an important watch.
Dolemite Is My Name: 97%
In this film, Eddie Murphy masterfully portrays Rudy Ray Moore, a real-life comedian, actor, and producer, who in the 1970s made the Blaxploitation cult hit, Dolemite (1975). The film chronicles the behind-the-scenes making of the film and the ups and downs of Moore’s career.
Murphy earned critical acclaim for his depiction of the beloved comedy titan and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2020. The film is full of memorable one-liners that leave audiences in stitches from start to finish.
The Big Sick: 98%
This 2017 breakout hit follows the real-life love story of husband and wife, actor Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily Gordon. In the flick, Nanjiani plays a comic, also named Kumail, who approaches a heckler, Emily (Zoe Kazan), after one of his sets. They two begin to date but eventually break up and go their separate ways until Kumail receives news that Emily has fallen into a coma and is battling a life-threatening illness.
The film went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and is highly-regarded as one of the best rom-com of the 2010s. Between the laughs, the film takes time to unpack topics such as tradition, immigration and religion.
Don’t Think Twice: 98%
The story follows the fallout of a tight-knit improv troupe after one of their members gets their big break on a Saturday Night Live inspired TV show. The movie addresses topics such as the trappings of fame, ego and the pains and pressures of show business.
Straight from the heart and mind of Mike Birbiglia, this script is written like a love letter to the world of comedy. It covers all the messy parts of the industry like rejection and envy but also celebrates the joy and ebullience of making people laugh for a living. It features a talented ensemble including Gillian Jacobs, Keegan-Michael Key and Birbiglia.
