This set compiles a whole lotta Lewis, so it helps if you are a fan. Richard Lewis: Bundle of Nerves serves up a treasure trove of rarities, including the new-to-DVD “Diary of a Young Comic” (a dated 1979 special that aired in Saturday Night Live's timeslot during a dark weekend), the 1997 HBO special “Magical Misery Tour” (a personal milestone for Lewis since it was his first special after becoming sober), and the 1995 indie feature film Drunks, in which Lewis—in a rare dramatic role—nicely acquits himself opposite a brilliant ensemble that includes Faye Dunaway, Spalding Gray, Amanda Plummer, and Parker Posey. Based on the play Blackout, the film is essentially a series of AA meeting monologues, opened up for the screen as Lewis's character goes on an all-night bender. The curiosity of the set is “House of a Lifetime,” in which Lewis plays tour guide, showing off his enviable collection of art, artifacts, memorabilia, and whatnot. With each piece, he recounts its significance to him or riffs on some of his screen and comedy idols (Marlon Brando, Buster Keaton, Lenny Bruce, among them). Lewis's high anxiety comedy is an acquired taste; his punchlines have the rhythm and intonation of being funny without actually being funny (I'm still trying to figure out one Misery joke involving Dumbo and testicles). A fitfully entertaining time capsule of one of standup's singular careers, presented in a boxed set featuring cool cover art by Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, this is recommended. (D. Liebenson)
Richard Lewis: Bundle of Nerves
(2014) 2 discs. 269 min. DVD: $29.98. Video Services Corp (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. February 9, 2015
Richard Lewis: Bundle of Nerves
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