Would It Kill You to Laugh?

"Would it Kill You to Laugh (2022)" had me in stitches... well, maybe more like mild chuckles. Kate Berlant and John Early's on-screen reunion was a rollercoaster of exaggerated egos and absurdity. While I expected to laugh till I cried, I ended up chuckling till I sighed. The plot centered around their public falling out years ago had potential, but it felt like it got lost in its own hilarity, much like Berlant and Early's characters.

Don't get me wrong; there were moments when I genuinely LOLed, but they were scattered like confetti at a sparsely attended party. Berlant and Early's comedic chemistry was undeniable, and their over-the-top portrayals of themselves were, at times, a delightful cringe-fest. Yet, the film's pacing seemed to struggle with comedic timing, leaving me yearning for more consistent laughs. In the end, "Would it Kill You to Laugh" is worth a watch if you're a fan of the stars, but don't expect it to be the comedy masterpiece you might have hoped for. It's like a joke that's funny at first but then slowly fizzles out - amusing but not side-splitting.

These two are absolutely hilarious together. A fair amount of the sketches fall flat and the reoccurring joke of hot plates and melted caramel didn't hit for me, but the interludes of Meredith viera interviewing them is pure comedy gold. I was laughing so hard I nearly chocked. Watching them discuss who got to keep certain comedic mannerisms was brilliant. I recommend if you're already a fan but if you're not on their comedic wavelengths you're gonna have a hard time clicking into this one.

Hilarious, highly-sophisticated genre-bending show in the mold of the British League of Gentlemen or Inside No.9. Ostensibly, the frame story is about a duo of actors of a an embarrassingly idiotic show which, after years of trying to destroy each other are reunited in a talk show, which provides them with the final opportunity to - well - destroy each other. Or perhaps to make amends. Or maybe something else is going on? There are enough clues to make you wonder what exactly are you watching, what's "real" and what the parody. What is the show and what is the show about the show. So yeah, amazingly witty and complex, and also goofy and slap-sticky. Brilliant.

These two have been established their comedy credentials via other people's projects, but it seems they're not cut out for comedy on their own. It tries to be "I Think You Should Leave", but I didn't laugh at a single sketch- and I really wanted to like it. Disappointing.

John Early is one of the most underrated comedians of our generation. Loved watching him back in action. Truly happy he and Kate Berlant finally got their own show. So well deserved and long overdue!