I WANT SOMEONE TO EAT CHEESE WITH, a film by JEFF GARLIN (Ovation/Southbound DVD)

 |   |  <1 min read

I WANT SOMEONE TO EAT CHEESE WITH, a film by JEFF GARLIN (Ovation/Southbound DVD)

If Seinfeld introduced the idea of a television show about nothing in particular, then the series Curb Your Enthusiasm -- written by and starring Seinfeld producer/writer Larry David -- elevated it to an art form. Although some of Curb Your Enthusiasm had a long arc of storylines, much of each episode was taken up with what seemed like not much at all which somehow all linked together to great comedic result.

David's on-screen manager in that show, Jeff Garlin (as Jeff Greene) was also that show's executive producer and a man with comnsiderable comedic chops from stand-up and cameos in numerous television shows.

This 2006 film however -- about nothing in particular -- was Garlin's directorial debut (which he also cowrote) and although it received some plaudits at the time (selectively quoted as "hilarious" according to Matt Zoller Seitz in the New York Times on the cover but a NYT search reveals the less persuasive "laidback and affectionate") it fails to spark on most levels.

Characters such as Beth in the ice-cream store (the radiant Sarah Silverman) are just plain quirky for the sake of it; the set-ups which see Garlin (as an overweight improv actor living at home) are awkwardly handled and somewhat obvious; and the running gag/backdrop theme of the movie Marty will exclude those who don't know it or may just feel mannered to those who do.

A small movie about not much, and really not much of a movie at all. 

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Film at Elsewhere articles index

QUEEN; FROM RAGS TO RHAPSODY a band-sanctioned doco. Director uncredited

QUEEN; FROM RAGS TO RHAPSODY a band-sanctioned doco. Director uncredited

There are artists you “get” (round here everyone from the Beatles and Supremes to Yoko Ono, Ornette Coleman and Sonic Youth). And there are those you just don't . . . Elsewhere... > Read more

AMERICAN WAR GENERALS (Madman DVD)

AMERICAN WAR GENERALS (Madman DVD)

Two true stories from days gone by. In 1969 as an 18-year old I flew into and out of Saigon and looked down on that blasted landscape of craters around the city. And then the thick jungle... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE INNOVATORS QUESTIONNAIRE: Luke Scott aka Admiral Drowsy

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE INNOVATORS QUESTIONNAIRE: Luke Scott aka Admiral Drowsy

Six months ago on the release of his second album Industrial Consistency – which we essayed at a bit of length -- we thought we needed to know more about Luke Scott who goes under the moniker... > Read more

GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN GANLEY offers a down-the-front rock experience

GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN GANLEY offers a down-the-front rock experience

Between 1981 and 1991, photographer Jonathan Ganley was regularly taking photos of bands and gigs in Auckland. At first he concentrated on the big names of post-punk when they played... > Read more