By now, you have heard everything you ever want to know about how Conan O'Brien used to host The Tonight Show, especially if you read the AMAZING Bill Carter book, The War For Late Night. However, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is not a retelling of that sordid tale. It's a chance to hang out with one of the funniest men alive for an hour and a half. That's really all the movie is, which is fine by me.
Director Rodman Flender goes behind the scenes to document the planning, writing and execution of the funny man's uber-successful summer 2010 tour, The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour, he took across the country during the time he was required to avoid TV, internet and radio appearances according to the terms of his settlement with NBC. Little did the suits at NBC think he would put together a show inspired by vaudeville, Eddie Murphy and O'Brien's desire to be in front of a crowd.
Early on, Flender has a decent storyline. The audience is intrigued about the creative process and the monumental tasks ahead. Will they put together a good show? What will it feature? Can they sell tickets? Sure, we know the answer, but watching it all happen in front of us draws us in.
However, Flender, eventually, is satisfied with following O'Brien and filming every joke, wisecrack and aside that comes out of his mouth. While we do start to see the change in our star, especially as he gets a bit crankier as the film and tour move forward, mostly, it's the same scenes over and over again, just in different cities. You'll enjoy the unguarded moments when he reveals his feelings about everything going on around him, and interactions with his friends, family and staff, even if it does come off as prickly from time to time. In a way, it humanizes Saint Conan, in a good way.
I am a huge Conan fan, so you know I liked it, especially when he shows a sense of humor about himself and his situation, no matter how morbid the tone.
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is rated R for language.
Early on, Flender has a decent storyline. The audience is intrigued about the creative process and the monumental tasks ahead. Will they put together a good show? What will it feature? Can they sell tickets? Sure, we know the answer, but watching it all happen in front of us draws us in.
However, Flender, eventually, is satisfied with following O'Brien and filming every joke, wisecrack and aside that comes out of his mouth. While we do start to see the change in our star, especially as he gets a bit crankier as the film and tour move forward, mostly, it's the same scenes over and over again, just in different cities. You'll enjoy the unguarded moments when he reveals his feelings about everything going on around him, and interactions with his friends, family and staff, even if it does come off as prickly from time to time. In a way, it humanizes Saint Conan, in a good way.
I am a huge Conan fan, so you know I liked it, especially when he shows a sense of humor about himself and his situation, no matter how morbid the tone.
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is rated R for language.
