http://grantland.com/features/surely-they-cant-be-serious/
It includes an interview with them. And I'd like to highlight this section:
“Goodfellas was amazing to us,” Friedberg said. “I remember one day we said it could be funny if there was a spoof movie where, ‘Funny how? Like I’m a clown? I’m here to amuse you?’ — and then you cut to the guy and he’s wearing full clown makeup.”
Yeah, that sounds painfully unfunny. Not surprised.
shareNo, you just don't get the joke.
It's an obvious reference to Pagliacci, the tragic clown figure.
You see, Pagliacci is a well-respected Italian opera. It's about a clown who, one day, on stage has a break down because his wife cheated on him. He tries to tell people that his face isn't pale because of white make-up, but because he's ashamed and just talks about how much he hates his life. However, the crowd thinks it's an act and laughs harder than ever.
At one point, the crowd realizes it's no longer an act and he pulls out a knife and kills his wife and her lover while saying the most famous line in the play "The Comedy is Over!!!!" This is an obvious parallel to the guy in Goodfellas.
Anyone who doesn't see the connection between this and Goodfellas, well, just hasn't seen both.
I admit that it's a somewhat obscure reference. However, Seltzberg are full of those. That's admittedly why a lot of people hate their moives; they're just not well-versed in high art. Don't bash things just because you don't get the joke.
I am the prophet of the IMDb Mod Gods. They act when I call.
Oh, riiight. How could I not see that? I apologize profusely.
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"Ram this in your clambake, bitchcakes!"