Sad Jokes

Directed by Fabian Stumm, Sad Jokes follows Stumm’s Joseph as he deals with a variety of personal and professional issues over the course of a short period. Filmmaker Stumm, armed with his own screenplay, delivers a decidedly hit-and-miss endeavor that unfolds in a deliberate, episodic fashion, and there’s little doubt, certainly, that the picture’s ongoing emphasis on the central character’s oddball encounters and exploits (eg Joseph gets his finger caught in a vending machine) contributes heavily to its erratic vibe – with this uneven feeling perpetuated by Stumm’s momentum-draining reliance on long takes. It’s clear, then, that Sad Jokes‘ mild success is due to its accomplished visuals and thoroughly compelling central performance, as, in terms of the latter, Stumm offers up a sympathetic, engaging turn that anchors the proceedings and generally sustains one’s interest through the picture’s less-than-riveting stretches. The movie’s comparatively stellar final third, which boasts a terrific scene involving a recited monologue, builds towards a touching, completely satisfying closing scene, which ultimately confirms Sad Jokes‘ place as an ambitious endeavor that bodes well for Stumm’s future efforts behind the camera.

**1/2 out of ****