Indie Documentary Review – Funny Pains (2020)

E.B. White once said, “Analysing humour is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” And that is always a problem when it comes to documentaries about comedy, comedians, or humour in general. Either there are a lot of funny performance scenes, or a lot of serious talking heads footage, depending on how the director wants the finished film to be received.

With Funny Pains, Jorgy Cruz has done a very fine balancing act and presents a thought provoking, painful, and engaging look at the life and times of comedian Wendi Starling, which still manages to raise a few laughs along the way… not bad for a debut feature length project!

I’ll be honest and say that I recognised no one in this film, but that could be different for someone who follows the live comedy scene in the USA, especially in New York City.

There were a few groups sitting round just chatting and swapping anecdotes about life and performance incidents that provided or shaped their material. They were probably familiar faces to anybody who goes to comedy clubs or open mic nights just, unfortunately, not to me, but that didn’t stop them being entertaining and amusing.

The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App

The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.

As seen on

Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)

     

Read more about the RunPee app.

But the main focus is Wendi Starling. The bulk of the film runs from 2015 to 2019, following Wendi from gig to home to work to gig and so on and so on.

There’s a nice balance between exploring the events that inspire her material and the delivery of the material. And those events are intense; most notably her struggles with bi-polar disorder, moving from LA to NYC, and being raped by two men at a friend’s wedding. Dotted through are very well recreated clips of her childhood and teens; so well done that I had to check the credits to make sure that they were re-enactments.

So, I would recommend Funny Pains if you like documentaries, live comedy, true life stories, or any combination of them all.

I do like a documentary! I give it an A-

Movie Grade: A-

What people are saying
about the RunPee app.

AmyGatten, 06/15/2023

Best app ever!

RunPee is the only app we use before movies and afterward. not only does RunPee tell you when it’s a good time to leave the theater, kids these days ask if there’s anything during/after the credits, and RunPee lets parents know when there might be some thing that a kid might miss!

RunPee has tidbits, ratings, leave the theater times, and lengths. This is THE VITAL APP for watching any movie!

We used it when my wife was pregnant, and we have recommended it to every pregnant gal we know! How else can you enjoy a movie when you have to go out so often?!

View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Download RunPee app