Method To The Madness Of Jerry Lewis (2011/Encore/Anchor Bay DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Documentary: B
In the
United States, Jerry Lewis is usually thought of as the longtime representative
of raising money for Muscular Dystrophy until very recently when he parted ways
with the organization he made a fortune for and a success out of. He is also known as a comedian, but too few
actually know the man, the artist and his incredible successes. Gregg Barson’s Method To The Madness Of Jerry Lewis (2011) is a long overdue
documentary look at the survivor and his landmark career.
With a
father in show business, Lewis became interested in the same and decided he
could become a comic performer. That was
80 years ago! After some success, he
paired up with the singer Dean Martin and as a duo, they became the biggest
such success since Abbott & Costello with hit movies, a hit TV show, hit
tours, radio show, a comic book and much more.
A massive success, their chemistry was like no other, so after many
years, Lewis shocked the industry when he decided he was leaving and they broke
up, not to speak with each other for years.
Many
wondered if Martin would succeed on his own, but he did and he thrived, as did
Lewis, who became a solo star and film director, continuing at Paramount
Pictures and making them another fortune.
Though not taken seriously in the U.S., his films were considered more
artistic in countries like France where they understood his deconstructionist
approach and Lewis tried other ventures, including launching a family-friendly
movie chain that did not work out.
But his
work and brand of comedy was something we had never seen before, he was
hilarious, clever, outrageous, subversive and broke al the rules to that
time. In the nearly 2 hours here, some
of the biggest names in show business get specific about his work, influences,
greatest moments and much more. Lewis is
interviewed throughout being very candid and having more to say than even fans
might expect. This also becomes a
character study of the industry itself and what it is to be a great performer,
so if you are serious about comedy, entertainment and want to see and hear
about some things you definitely have not before, this is a must-see show.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is a mix of new HD footage with 35mm
film clips, older film clips, analog video, kinescope footage and still that
are edited together very well and make for solid viewing, but that also makes
the quality mixed, especially in lower def DVD.
Still, it is always fun to watch.
The lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 is the same with a mix of new stereo audio,
old stereo audio and many degrees of monophonic audio, so the makers just
spread the sound around as much as possible.
That is fine for what it is and expected for such a documentary. There are no extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
