WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Per chance to dream. As we witness our lives moving forward, there resides the innate desire to see success occur with all which we put our efforts into. To overcome the odds, defy the skeptics, and create for ourselves what we see as a better future remains a strong, a potent, unrelenting force within to be reckoned with. Then, however, it only remains to be seen whether the pursuits we have chosen end up for our true benefit–or to a more disastrous result. In the State of New Jersey resides stand-up comic Justin (Gerard Garilli), who has managed to garner rave reviews and a solid following at the local comedy club he consistently headlines at. It’s his dream, and a prolific career he longs for.
Pushing through the pressures of a belligerent and ultimately unsupportive father Frank (Sal Garilli) and doting yet equally frustrating mother Angel (Phyllis Socienski), Justin continues to seek out further fame and fortune that befit his skills, grabbing the notice of local talent agent Lars (Peter Panagos), who sets up the path for Justin’s sought after glory. However, even as things seem to be on the up and up for Justin, growing conflicts with his own ego and self interests vs. those of the ones who’ve supported him unequivocally begin to take a brutal toll, isolating him from girlfriend Sylvia (Emily Esposito), his best friends Bammy (Anthony Leks) and Danny (Edward John Socienski), and brother Vic (Danny Lamego). Will success be worth the cost of damaging choices made?
Next, my Mind:
An unflinching look at chasing ones goals, attaining success, but then faltering under the immense adversity created by poor decisions while flying too high on borrowed wings for the sake of self gratification taking the place of maintaining who you truly are, this 80-minute indie feature from director/executive producer/editor Adrian Toscano and writers Gerard Garilli and Melissa L. White certainly carries itself with Jersey-based attitude yet well-grounded and realistic dramatic flare in showcasing the price of quickly gained notoriety and celebrity. What strikes this reviewer is how accurately to real life this story presents itself, even if not necessarily within the confines of the comedy medium only, when thinking of stars such as Robin Williams and Phillip Seymour Hoffman among far too many others who’ve achieved the pinnacles of wealth and talent-laden distinction, yet end up revealing (in sadly tragic ways) that everything is not all wine and roses like we believed it was for them. Here, we see this exact scenario play out to the extent the narrative chooses to strive for, offering an equally sobering viewpoint of just how misguided and dysfunctional a person can become when they allow their newfound eminence to utterly change them from the person they were into the, well, “monster” they become, forsaking all those who unconditionally love and wish to validate them for a mean-spirited “I can do this without all of you!!” mentality that only leads to destructive, hurtful, and crippling ends. Even the chances to mingle with others whom you have idolized in your field is explored here, showing both positive and highly negative ramifications of said relationships, often begging the question “Who do you actually trust??”, potentially only being used by others rather than cultivating healthy, lasting connections.
There’s also additional delving into the facts that Justin’s journey for acceptance stems from being so overtly weighed down by a critical home life and parents who are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to his choice of career path, one wanting him to flat out give it up for “a real job in the family business” and one who wants him to find his way and be happy, yet hesitantly so given the direction he’s heading, warning Justin about those he’s about to be in bed with. Witnessing a quickly progressing road to ruin is honestly difficult when you really take in what the film is meaning to drive home thematically, and while this reviewer didn’t prefer much of the copious amount of crude language and certain concepts displayed based on personal preference, it didn’t take away from the underlying gravity of the story’s intent, all leading to a finale that very much lands a more than solid gut-punch to events and leaves an indelible impression on the viewer’s mind, with conjecture taking over from that point as the credits roll. It’s a portrait of an everyman losing himself, spiraling out of control, destroying all that was good for him and in himself to gain the favor and recognition he may actually deserve, but not at the expense of harming everyone else around him, all for the “comfort” of fame. Visually, the film is very uncomplicated, as it should be, since character-driven emphasis reigns in indie cinema, and the camera follows the action with purpose and well-founded, clear, and smooth intent. Additionally, the music score from Stefan Swanson adds that perfectly balanced ambiance to the proceedings, wonderfully reflecting the atmosphere that ensues after Justin’s break from reality into insanity.
Tackling the lead role on top of having been one of the primary writers for the film, Gerard Garilli brings a very solid, well-founded believability to his role as Justin, a happy-go-lucky Jersey stand-up comedian who’s managed to earn the respect and laughter-inducing gratitude of the crowds he entertains as often as he is able at the local club. Enjoying the luxury of long-established friends, his cautiously encouraging brother, and a girlfriend he sincerely loves, his only regrets lie with his father who refuses to acknowledge the validity of his comedic pursuits and his mother who wants his happiness, yet likewise remains dubious of it all as well. Having a confidence in what he can achieve yet burdened with boiling self-doubt and pent-up frustrations, Justin’s break arrives upon meeting an agent at one of his shows who takes Justin into the stratosphere of success he’s always longed for. However, the more he becomes immersed in everything he’s ever wanted and worked for, his entire demeanor gets sucked into an abyss of disrespect and terrible choices, pushing away everyone he loves and replacing them with bad influencers claiming to have his best interests in mind, yet only guide him downwards to his own detriment. No matter who tries to bring him out of it, the life bleeds him dry and culminates into the chance of a lifetime that could all but be missed thanks to no longer being cognizant of anything worthwhile other than his own heart and soul’s demise, realized too late, with few hopes of being able to salvage what has been squandered. Let’s face it, this really isn’t a happy tale in total, and Garilli makes you feel every bit of Justin’s descent into the twisted fantasy he thought he wanted, with it all controlling him rather than him taking charge and standing firmer for who he’s always been. It’s a dynamic performance that really needs to be seen to catch all the nuances to this all-too-common reality we’ve heard about time and time again, sadly the case with celebrity.
Primary supporting turns are aplenty here, with Sal Garilli and Phyllis Socienski as Justin’s parents Frank and Angel, hard-working middle class folks who have provided for their family and now only wish to see a legacy continue through their children, hence becoming the point of contention with Justin’s reluctance to be convinced that comedy is a mistake, Lamego as Justin’s brother Vic whose own life is moving forward but still becomes focused on trying to support Justin even when things go south, Leks and Edward John Socienski as Justin’s best friends Bammy and Danny who’ve always supported Justin’s comedic dream but end up on the wrong side of their friend’s deteriorating hold on what’s important when fame digs its claws into him, Esposito as Justin’s long-suffering but loving girlfriend who finally believes things are turning a corner for them as a couple, until it all falls by the ugly wayside, and Panagos as Justin’s agent Lars who at first we think might only be a conniving con artist trying to use Justin but then genuinely aids him in scoring the momentum and fortune Justin wants, until his client inexplicably disappears on the eve of the biggest opportunity yet. Additional supporting turns are present from Justine Garilli as Vic’s fiancée Marilyn, Maria Marinaro as Lars’ receptionist Sadie, Steve Mason as Hollywood Reporter journalist Tony Falconer who grants Justin his first interview, Christina Cappelli as fellow comic and one of Justin’s idols Trudy Sharp, Philip Di Maria as a dealer who becomes Justin’s go-to for his “escapes”, Kevin Williamson as Rupert Tracy, another fellow comic who takes Justin down an ever more damaging trail, and J.J. Pyle as Mimi, one of Justin’s many unadvisable dalliances.
In total, “Hard Laughter” stands as a well-executed indie feature that paints an unforgiving yet painfully relatable tapestry of exactly how fame can turn even the most normal person into someone they never should have become. It is a highly cautionary tale about who we surround ourselves with, the ideas we allow to control and influence us instead of thinking things through, and the need to realize that it’s ok to pursue and obtain success, but how we handle it once attained can be either wholly satisfying or colossally devastating. Who would you become?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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