Following an expensive divorce and the cancellation of his TV show, a stand-up comic is forced to go back on the road to provide for his daughter.Following an expensive divorce and the cancellation of his TV show, a stand-up comic is forced to go back on the road to provide for his daughter.Following an expensive divorce and the cancellation of his TV show, a stand-up comic is forced to go back on the road to provide for his daughter.
- Directors
- Writers
- Stars
- Becky
- (as Sarah Halford)
- Phil
- (as Philip Rosenthal)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
The funniest bits from the movie are when Adam is telling jokes during live stand up shows in the comedy clubs. I know it's a comedy but some things are just over the top, like the portrayal of his quirky Agent Baby Doll. How many wig jokes can you make in a movie? This movie was very disappointing and in my opinion not very funny regardless of every joke already being heard on his podcasts. I know Adam is not an actor per say, but he's bad in this movie. He shows almost no emotion and he's very stiff throughout the entire movie. The supporting actors are also not very funny.
I really wanted to like this movie because I think that Adam Carolla is a comical genius, but in reality, he needs to stick to his Podcast and TV shows because being an actor in movies is not in his wheelhouse.
I liked it. Yeah, it's a little formula. But it does the formula well. Would it have worked as a big-budget Hollywood rom-com? Who cares? The home movie feel of it is a character in its own right. The performances are all good, the main plot is brilliant (stand-up who's so-so on-stage but hilarious in real life; good set-up for a portrait of a guy busting his head to make it in show-biz), and Howie Mandel kills as himself in a bit part that's simultaneously reality-TV immediate and probably not him at all.
Bottom line: this guy did good with what he had. It's watchable. You'll wish the character well. You'll understand his predicament. You'll be glad you rode along on his roller-coaster.
Few comedy movies are funny, and even fewer American comedians are. The movie and the protagonist don't break either mould, though Carolla is likable as the lead.
I didn't like this one as much as his movie "The Hammer", which was a lot more interesting. It's a movie about a down-on-his-luck comedian travelling around doing shows with varying degrees of failure. He used to be on a TV show called "The Bro Show" and his co-star, played by Jay Mohr, is now hosting a Letterman-style TV show that is the highest rated in the US.
I think the movie needed more moments of truth. There is one monologue Carolla gives about having to compete with Youtube stars as a middle aged comedian. The movie needed more bits like that; many of the aspects of Carolla's character, like him having an adopted Asian daughter, and his weird, wig wearing manager, seem too obviously fake and forced.
There is something particularly embittered about a comedian on skid row. Being forced to find humour in a dark situation, and being funny on stage when their life off it is anything but. "Road Hard" would have done better to embrace this, rather than avoid it.
I'd love to see this material handled by the likes of Todd Solondz.
Did you know
- TriviaCarolla funded the film by raising $1,435,723 at fundanything.com.
- GoofsAfter Bruce and Kim discuss Tina's college in the garage, Bruce turns on the table saw, but the blade doesn't move.
- Quotes
Bruce Madsen: You want me to warm up your audience?
Jack Taylor: Of course, I'd be honored. Audience warm-up guys make a lot of money, Bruce.
Bruce Madsen: You want me to be your fluffer, Jack? That's fucking humiliating! I can't believe this is how you look at me.
Jack Taylor: I don't look at you that way, Bruce, that's how the business looks at you.
Bruce Madsen: Then fuck the business.
Jack Taylor: I don't get you man. You think this business is like a "Punt, Pass, and Kick" competition where all that matters is being funnier than everybody else.
Bruce Madsen: Isn't that what it's about... being funny?
Jack Taylor: Wake the fuck up, Bruce. Funny has, like a little bit to do with it... this much. It's like the figure skating compulsories. You go around, you do a figure-eight. Yeah, that's cool, but what you're judged on in this business is the long program.
Bruce Madsen: You're using figure skating analogies, Jack? You've changed, buddy.
Jack Taylor: And you haven't, Bruce. You never wanted to put in the work, the real work of building a career. So, instead, what do you do? You hide behind the rebel flag? You're fucking Cliché Guevara, man! I'm offering you a job, Bruce. It's a good job. Take the job.
- Crazy creditsThe End Credits include multiple mid-credits scenes of different unrelated comedians doing a minute or two of stand-up material.
- How long is Road Hard?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Трудная дорога
- Filming locations
- Burbank, California, USA(Flappers Comedy Club)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $113,169
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $105,943
- Mar 8, 2015
- Gross worldwide
- $113,169
- Runtime
- 1h 38m(98 min)
- Color