Comedian
You might not think there's much to a documentary that follows Jerry Seinfeld around the country's comedy clubs while he develops new material for his stand-up act. You'd be wrong. It's funny as hell, and like all comedy that stings, sorrowful at its core. Director Christian Charles and producer Gary Streiner (with two digital cameras) parallel Seinfeld's quest with the rise of young comic Orny Adams, who seems on the verge of a breakdown. The result is an indispensable peek at the art and the agony of making people laugh. The likes of Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Robert Klein, Colin Quinn and Chris Rock put in their two cents. But the real value comes in the intimate look at the insecurities that plague these comedians. It's gold, Jerry, gold.