Written, directed, and performed by SNL alum Julia Sweeney (It's Pat!), and based on her one-woman show, the latest movie in the confessional monologue genre pioneered by Spalding Gray (Swimming to Cambodia) began its existence as an exercise to help the comedian through the worst year of her life. In 1994, her beloved brother Mike was diagnosed with cancer, and Julia invited him to come and stay at her house. Shortly thereafter, her parents moved in as well; shortly after that, Sweeney herself was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Oh boy, a cancer movie! you're no doubt thinking, getting ready to jump to the next review. But while there are a few poignant moments, most of the material, believe it or not, is played for laughs; in particular, Sweeney goes to town with her impression of her overbearing mother, who's forever asking Julia where she keeps the Laura Scudder's beef stroganoff mixes ("I have searched your cupboards from top to bottom...") or complaining about Julia's father's penchant for listening to NPR via headphones in bed. Sweeney's delivery is sometimes a bit stiff--nobody's likely to mistake her for Gray, much less the live-wire Eric Bogosian--but her manner is so engaging, and her anecdotes so consistently amusing, that it's easily forgivable. Recommended. (M. D'Angelo)
God Said, Ha!
(Miramax, 86 min., PG-13, avail. Sept. 14) Vol. 14, Issue 5
God Said, Ha!
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: