Eddie Pepitone disrespected?*SPOILER S*
This is an interesting documentary, anyone who came this far on imdb.com already knows what it is about. While the movie has me thinking for days after viewing it, about many aspects of EP's career, history, mental health, and interpersonal relationships, one thing really stood out. The disrespect.
While other 'edgy' and 'alt' comics are billed in the movie (really just momentary interstitials, where they make some judgment or observation of Eddie), quite a few of them were clearly just caught backstage or passing by and asked to say a few words. A couple samples: Sarah Silverman noting "I don't know what he was, a bartender, waiter, whatever; he couldn't have been any good, I never heard of him before." Todd Barry to Eddie: "So you're headlining Gotham? How'd that happen?" Zach Galifiniakis: "Eddie is one of my favorite comics to watch...but not to listen to." Jen Kirkman: "When Eddie is off his meds, his voice is the same but there is a hint of irrationality. I don't like it." Andy Kindler: "one of the few things I know about Eddie, personally, is that he lives in that horrible apartment building." Eddie's 74 year-old father, on his 52 year-old son's unsuccessful struggle to make a living in show business: "Eddie tried to take the easy way out."
Lots more, but there are also so many embarrassing moments included in this movie, where Marc Maron gets short and mean with Eddie, other comics mock Eddie's attempt to eat better and mistakenly describing himself as "vegan", and all the while the camera focuses on his physical shortcomings, that I have to wonder what the intent of this movie is. Not just to tell an unusual story about a lonely guy struggling with his desire for approval, fame, security, and freedom from worry. The P.O.V. seems to make fun of Eddie, to show that his contemporaries may acknowledge him but they aren't going to bring him along for their rides or reach down to help him. Even the closing moment is a little too on point. Maybe the filmmakers thought the nice moments wouldn't make an interesting film, when Eddie was free of conflict that it was boring? I don't know, but it is now 2 years past when the movie was filmed, and Eddie Pepitone's career and life is still in neutral.
Even the title is embarrassing, mocking Eddie's attempts to quiet his mind while responding to rejection, failure, and success of others half his age. I wanted to learn something, to understand why Eddie was any more special than many unfamous writers, artists, actors, musicians, comedians, etc. and worthy of having his story committed to film. This doc just seemed like a mean joke on him, by the end. Any thoughts appreciated.