Is Funny Is Money Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1999)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Funny Is Money (1999), audiences are invited back into the world of Documentary, History, Comedy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of their choosing. In the fifth of the six films, "Funny Is Money," filmmaker Norman Jewison delves into the topic of comedy, using the hype surrounding the finale of the wildly successful NBC series "Seinfeld" as his launchpad to explore how the artform has evolved over the past 100 years."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Milton Berle attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Funny Is Money worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary, History, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Funny Is Money misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 120 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.