Inside the life of a stand-up comedian (Manny Lewis)

Have you ever pondered what it would be like to be a stand-up comic, a successful stand-up comic? To stand on stage, alone, floodlit with nowhere to hide, as hundreds of eyes stare at you and a sea of mouths laugh. And then what? Carl Barron’s movie Manny Lewis gives us a frank look inside a comedians life through his alter ego Manny Lewis.

Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

Manny Lewis (Carl Barron) is a highly successful Australian comedian, sound familiar. His life is full of opening nights, laughing audiences and potential opportunities to work overseas. But when the last audience member leaves he heads home to an empty house and lonely existence. His reality is the polar opposite of what his adoring fans imagine.

Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

It’s also the opposite to his agent Jimmy’s (Damien Garvey).

Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

A late night call to a sex line begins an unlikely relationship which becomes compounded when he meets the complex MARIA (Leeanna Walsman). As the friendship develops there’s a glimmering possibility that he might fall in love and have a normal life, if he can get out of his own way.

Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

As Manny grabbles with the idea of opening up to another person the movie reflects on dating, love, fame, and the impact of family when he reconnects with his father (the always superb Rory Billing).

Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

Barron allows us to see inside what happens after success arrives and the realities of the loneliness it brings. How fame can make you ‘feel like a criminal’, having to keep looking over your shoulder to see who’s watching.

Behind the scenes Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

Behind the scenes Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers

Manny Lewis is a gentle movie, a sweet romance, that explores the fine line between comedy and tragedy.

As I pondered the movie three things struck home …

1. Manny Lewis’s signal of ‘in coming’ as a fan approaches was a gentle reminder of what it feels like from the other side of the fence when we ask someone for a photo or their autograph. Do we really have the right to some of the things we ask them to do?
2. As a fellow ponderer it was a timely reminder as I watched Manny Lewis consider the dangers of thinking too much, versus just letting life happen.
3. The movie drew laughter, tears and memories of Paul Kelly when Lewis picked up his guitar to sing. A very moving scene that highlights Barron’s other hidden talents.

In cinemas now e.g. Event Cinema

Behind the scenes Thanks to Studio Canal and Mark Rogers