Rant of the Week

The Tragedy of Serious Comedians

 

I haven't seen it yet, but I look forward to checking out Will Ferrell's new film, "Stranger Than Fiction".  New York Times, Roger Ebert, and the Village Voice all seem to like it.  Ebert almost gives it a rave, but then, he liked "Notebook".  The Village Voice is made of sterner stuff, so it's relatively kind review got my attention.

I have a bit of dread of seeing comedians take on roles that they seem to think will establish them as "actors".  There's a lot of ridiculously inane perception involved.  Take a clown.  Take away the big red nose.  Have him recite poetry.  The audience gasps. 
Art.

It's like watching a famously great pianist perform.  You watch the performance and think, what makes her great?  It's rhythm, right?  It's her feeling for the piece, her interpretation.  It's the way she takes you through a 20 minute sequence of notes and chords and makes it an experience that raises your consciousness. 

But the audience is there to see the famous pianist.  They will not be disappointed because everybody-- the pianist, the conductor, the orchestra-- they all know that the audience will not accept the greatness of the pianist unless she puts on a show of bombast and pyrotechnics and spectacular displays of speed and noise.  Speed and noise.  Most of the audience will never know if any two notes played in sequence are performed beautifully-- but it knows that rapid arm movements up and down the keyboard signal virtuosity, and the rest is filled in by the critics, the filters, who ensure that no fakes get through.  It would take an utterly remarkable artist to have the guts to come out and perform perfectly, beautifully, a delicate, quiet little song.

 
Robin Williams Jim Carrey Will Ferrell Adam Sandler
Good Morning Viet Nam Truman Show   Reign Over Me
Mrs. Doubtfire Cable Guy    
Dead Poet's Society   Anchorman  
One Hour Photo How the Grinch Stole Christmas Stranger than Fiction  
Fisher King      

All contents © 2006 Bill Van Dyk

 

Copyright © 2006 Bill Van Dyk  All rights reserved.