Comedy Central's attempt to redefine comedy for the new century nearly makes it. The effort to push "obnoxious" over some edge is understandable and acceptable. It is also amusing that they chose to parody the very comedy that we are expecting: sentimental, nostalgic feel-good high-school comedy that Rodney Dangerfield perfected with "Back to School".
But as I've always said, in comedy, timing is everything - and unfortunately, the film depends on the comic timing of Amy Sedaris, which never quite gets to where it needs to be. Indeed, her pacing is the rhythmic equivalent of a monotone - every bit is delivered with equal momentum, so it's hard to tell where the exposition ends and the comic bit begins; by the time we've figured out we're supposed to laugh, the joke's over.
An undeniably amusing film (in a sick sort of way) but not the New Wave of 21st Century comedy we were expecting.
But as I've always said, in comedy, timing is everything - and unfortunately, the film depends on the comic timing of Amy Sedaris, which never quite gets to where it needs to be. Indeed, her pacing is the rhythmic equivalent of a monotone - every bit is delivered with equal momentum, so it's hard to tell where the exposition ends and the comic bit begins; by the time we've figured out we're supposed to laugh, the joke's over.
An undeniably amusing film (in a sick sort of way) but not the New Wave of 21st Century comedy we were expecting.