First, I’ll just plug the comedy troupe: Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts. They had a short gig on Comedy Central, and now pop up seemingly everywhere in small roles (or, for Poehler, bigger billing on SNL). They–the shows–are damn funny.
I am doubting anyone else even has this on their radar, so I’ll post it: saw Walsh & Roberts’ film Martin & Orloff last night, and it’s a lower-key funny, analogous to Brain Candy‘s relation to Kids in the Hall: fun for fans but perhaps not particularly effective at trying to win over new fans, strangely intent on a more narrative form but also often wholly unconcerned with that narrative, and full of some fine, small, absurdist moments. I laughed out loud a number of times. The plot: Martin designs character costumes for an ad agency, but is struggling with the guilt of not putting eye-holes on suits–leading to a horrible eggroll mishap, and a subsequent suicide attempt. Orloff is, ostensibly, the therapist assigned his case. Comedy hijinks ensue.
I think I’m recommending it primarily because it marches to its own tune, sidestepping the mainstream but also trying on some new tricks that sketch improv won’t allow. And even if the film never soars, Walsh is one of the funniest human beings alive, and livens up every scene. (On the UC Brigade show, he did a small series of black-and-white films, supposedly found footage of Einstein gearing himself up to do some work, scolding himself for masturbating so much, etc. Or another: a robot filming a date-service personal ad, where he muses rhapsodically about Tim Conway.) I think it’s funny just watching a manic Orloff, mayonnaise on his face, start his first “session” with Martin. There is also a morbidly-obese character named Jimbo who has a gigantic penis, which serves a vital role in the film’s climax. Amy Poehler, David Cross get minor roles; Andy Richter, Rachel Dratch, Janeane Garafolo, and Tina Fey pop up.
An interview with Walsh and Roberts.