Warren and Clark (Harris and Clarke) meet on stage during an open mic night, and both feel a spark suggesting that they might have a career as a comedy double-act. But getting a shot at fame, then seizing it, isn't easy. And the knock-backs start taking a toll on their fragile partnership. So when the few lucky breaks they get go absolutely nowhere, the bitterness might be impossible to overcome. Especially since everyone seems to want a piece of them.

Based on the Jez Butterworth play, this is a fairly bitter and realistic look at the rocky road to fame and the unfunny side of the funny business. That said, it's difficult to believe in Harris or Clarke, who play the roles as if they were on stage. There's very little subtlety in their extremely mannered performances, as their faces leave nothing unexpressed and their costumes (including Clarke's hair and specs) simply try too hard. It's almost like watching a one-scene comedy sketch character on screen for 80 minutes.

The actors around them are just as over the top, but don't outstay their welcome (most memorable is Newton's crazed coke-fiend agent). Besides Chris' effective turn as a friend and rival, these side characters tend to blur into the background as people the guys encounter briefly along the way. This helps provide some razor-sharp observations, with telling dialog and a real sense that these guys believe that someday they could be huge.

The strongest scenes involve the attempts to come up with jokes (although we hear virtually none of their material), plus dealing with pre-performance jitters and, later, with compromising their talent for money. But the episodic plot leaves the momentum flagging, as does a story structure that feels naggingly formulaic. So while there's a lot of important stuff in here, it's difficult to keep caring about these two guys.

themes, strong language, drugs

16.Jun.10 eiff