Alone Up There

I've always appreciated good comedy, and Shaul's exploration of it has only strengthened that appreciation. Through candid interviews and his own personal journey to the stage, Sean Patrick Shaul gives us an excellent, unflinching look at just how awkward and painful the life of a stand up comic can be. Something that's always intrigued me has been how some of the funniest people in the world can have such dark and brooding personalities. My own cynical sense of humor often leads me to the darker comics (Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, Jim Jeffries, Doug Stanhope, David Cross, etc). This film gave me a glimpse into just a bit of the anguish, insecurity and outright depression that can be associated with putting yourself up there (alone) to be judged. I don't want to paint a picture as if this is some sombre affair reminiscent of an episode of 'Intervention'; there are definitely some laugh out loud moments, and the payoff at the end is worth the wait!