The Comic

Directed by Carl Reiner, The Comic follows successful silent comedian Billy Bright (Dick Van Dyke) as he falls on hard times after talkies become all the rage – with the movie also detailing Billy’s rocky marriage to a fellow actor (Michele Lee’s Mary). It’s an irresistible premise that’s employed to erratic yet mostly rewarding effect by Reiner, as the filmmaker, working from a script written with Aaron Ruben, does an effective job of exploring the behind-the-scenes happenings within early Hollywood and enhances the compelling atmosphere by offering up a thoroughly ingratiating, captivating protagonist – with Van Dyke’s typically sterling work elevating the proceedings on an ongoing basis and compensating for a somewhat hit-and-miss midsection. (There is, for example, a long stretch devoted to Billy’s comedic shorts that grows a little tedious.) There’s little doubt, as well, that The Comic benefits from its shift into a progressively poignant second half, as Reiner emphasizes the protagonist’s late-in-life efforts at regaining some of the relevance he once possessed – with, especially, Billy’s awkward appearance on a Steve Allen-hosted talk show standing as an obvious highlight. By the time the genuinely heartbreaking finale rolls around, The Comic has confirmed its place as a better-than-average star vehicle for a mostly (and woefully) underrated performer.

*** out of ****