Y’know, for someone who claims to have an entire life
philosophy based on making people laugh, I am remarkably out of step with the
modern comedy scene. I don’t watch a lot of TV, so I’m not seeing the sitcoms
that get these actors their first major platform, and what passes for stand-up
nowadays is a bit… well, try-hard. As I’ve said in the past, I’d be fine with
the whole ‘safe space to decry safe spaces’ thing is people were at least a little
self-aware about it, and it feels like too many are banking on outrage over
actually being funny nowadays.
At any rate, between all of this, I find myself questioning
why I keep seeing certain actors popping up in comedy films. Actors like
Jillian Bell, a comedian I don’t have any experience with outside of the films
I’ve reviewed, and someone who has never really made her case as a recurring
comedic presence for me. Until now, that is.
Bell’s first leading role is somewhat familiar material:
It’s a comedy with romantic undercurrents about a woman in New York City trying
to sort her shit out. Looking at the premise on its own, this feels like the
distaff Run Fatboy Run in its high-concept juxtaposition of someone who is
overweight with an activity that even the fittest of people might struggle
with. However, where that comparison falls apart is how, where Run Fatboy Run
was all about the physical exertion being a chance to impress a romantic
interest, this one is all about empowerment and respect of the self.
It’s basically the kind of film Amy Schumer wishes she could
come up with and deliver as potently, as writer/director Paul Downs Colaizzo’s
examination of body image and insecurity hits a lot of strong chords. It
highlights physical exercise as a means of taking responsibility for one’s own
body and health, a pretty refreshing approach as opposed to the ‘fat is icky’
route I keep seeing, and as we see Bell’s title character training for the
titular marathon, it definitely rings true in what a regular exercise routine
can do for the mind as much as the body.
Blogging isn’t the most strenuous of tasks for the body,
even on a semi-regular basis or when you’re doing your own self-imposed
marathon because your lazy arse didn’t watch enough movies earlier in the year
(just in case my own insecurities haven’t been evident enough yet). However,
earlier in the year, I had a bad morning of looking at my gut in the mirror and
decided to do a 30-day workout routine to try and slim it down. It sucked, and I’ll
admit that I didn’t exactly get the results I was aiming for, but I definitely
noticed a change in my thought process. Namely, because it gave me a chance to
let out a bunch of pent-up energy that not even the ventiest of writing
sessions could get rid of.
I bring this up because this film’s approach to that same
psychological effect definitely feels true to my own experiences. Brittany
gains a new-found respect for herself as she starts shedding the pounds, and
the fact that this is always maintained as a ‘I need to do this’ thing and not
a ‘everyone else wants me to do it’ thing makes it more authentic emotionally.
Hell, a lot of the film hits that note, whether it’s the romance subplots,
Brittany’s incessant need to make people laugh in every social situation (there’s
a reason why I’m drawing parallels between her and myself; I’m quite shocked
how much I relate to this woman) or the realisation that there is such a thing
as pushing yourself too hard in physical situations.
I don’t think I’ve ever liked Jillian Bell more than I have
here, as her comedic lead here is one full to the brim with empathy, charm and
the kind of heart-breaking dramatic touches that make even the more clichéd
moments feel real. Basically the opposite of every other role I’ve seen her in,
showing that she could have a very fruitful career if she keeps tapping
into this new vein of material she’s found here. Not necessarily the
Schumer-esque body positivity stuff, but more stuff that lets her
be likeable, human and able to carry an entire production on her performance
alone.
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