You are here:

Comedian

Name: Comedian
Director: Markus Imboden
Released: 2000
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2000

Director

Markus Imboden

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Markus Imboden’s comedy focuses on the social displacement and failed ambitions of its main character, Roni Beck. Set in a underrepresented environment, the film challenges traditional success stories by emphasizing situational ethics over meritocracy. While the film explores the 'outsider' status, it does so through social utility and class rather than identity politics. The narrative leans toward social satire, examining the intersection of aging populations and the corruption of institutional structures.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Comedian have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships. It focuses on the friendship between Roni and Serge, which is platonic.

How does Comedian portray gender?

Fair

The story is primarily centered around male characters and their ambitions and failures. It lacks strong roles for women and does not challenge traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Comedian?

Limited

The film depicts a mostly homogeneous social environment. There is no indication of a multi-ethnic cast or diverse racial representation.

How does Comedian represent religion and culture?

Good

The story examines moral relativism and social non-conformity. It portrays traditional institutions and legal systems as sources of dysfunction and corruption.

Does Comedian include disability representation?

Fair

The setting in an elderly care facility deals with aging and physical decline. Eccentric characters highlight those outside the social norm.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional success narratives through a cynical lens.
Explores the complexities of social non-conformity and outsider status.
Provides a nuanced critique of institutional integrity and morality.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Features a predominantly male-centric framework with minimal female roles.
Provides little to no visibility for LGBTQ+ identities.

Official Synopsis

Roni Beck is a man whose only thought in life is to become a professional comedian, but who due to his lack of success must live hidden in his mother's appartment in an old people's home, continuing to believe firmly that his day in the limelight will come. One day Serge Grätzer, the director of the old people's home, discovers Roni, and makes him help out with the work. Serge then decides to take a hand in Roni's career, embezzling money to launch the budding comedian. Once again however success eludes Roni. In the end Serge decides to fulfil his own secret longings to be on the stage. This leads to a row between the two men. Despite a reconciliation, they never again appear together on the stage. And when Serge's embezzlement is discovered he has to flee with the police at his heels and the home has to be closes. In the end, Roni persuades Mr. Klein, an eccentric old man who likes to play the stock market, to save the home with the millions he has stashed away.

How are these scores produced? →