I really liked The Hangover, and the main reason for this is Zach Galifianakis, who consistently steals the show with his deadpan performance as Alan, a bizarre and sometimes slightly disturbing young man who joins his soon-to-be brother-in-law and two other guys in Las Vegas for a bachelor party weekend. What I know of Galifianakis is mostly based on his performance in The Hangover and his online videos (I especially like his music videos and his interview series Between Two Ferns). I've never seen him live, though I hear he's even more hilarious to watch in person.
In a recent interview, Hangover director Todd Phillips summed up for me precisely what makes Galifianakis's kind of comedy so effective — and so endearing:
And I think with Zach, I don't think anyone has it expect maybe Will Ferrell doing comedies right now, is the sweetest, most innocent eyes and face, so he can get away with so much. So much of the comedians we all love, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, there's a darkness to them, which is what we love about them, but you look at Will's eyes and there is no darkness in Will, and there is no darkness in Zach. It's just sweetness, so they get to get away with sh*t that no one else can get away with.
It's also just refreshing to see a new face amidst the same old comedic group we've been watching for years, and apparently Phillips had this in mind when he cast Zach: "I really wanted this movie to feel as real as possible and I really feel like we've been seeing the same ten faces in a lot of movies, not just comedies but movies, and I just thought let's shake it up."
Well, he shook it up! And once The Hangover comes out, I'm sure Galifianakis will score legions of new fans which will, awesomely, lead to that sweet and "innocent" face appearing in more hilarious projects. I can't wait.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Dimensione Danza
Burton
Burner
Ha, thanks for this post! I can't wait to see this movie. I have been developing a crush on Zach Galifianakis, even though I have to look up how to spell his name every time I type it. I think I will go watch his Kanye West video again.
1He's hilarious, I haven't seen his interview show yet but I always love his piano/stand up schtick and his brief late night show was a riot.
2I've loved his comedy for the last 2 years, I think, I can't wait to see this movie!
3if you've seen his comedy specials you would agree that there is definitely a darkness to him!!! but he's still brilliant and i love him!
4I've had a soft spot for him ever since I saw him in Fiona Apple's music video. I think it's the fuzzy face. I definitely want to see this movie.
5I've loved him since OUT COLD in 2001(?) I do believe. And he's great in What Happens In Vegas~Can't wait to see more from him!
6He was, far and away, the only part of Out Cold that was watchable. Can't wait for this movie!
7i love him! i first heard of him in the comedians of comedy and his piano playing routine sold me. i also loved him on tim & eric as the snuggler. if you're a zach fan, you have to see this. - http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/85741/detail/
8This movie is getting such fantastic reviews and I think I might have been the only person to not like it. Actually it was Zack Galifianakis' performance that ruined it for me. I thought his character was very unlikeable and he continuously annoyed me throughout the entire movie. Although it looks like I am in the minority here.....so maybe I have to see it again and give it another try!
9just saw this movie again.
10haha i loved him in it!!
Can i get a one small pic from your site?
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