Sign in

The Comic

1969·Movie
1h 35min·PG
64
DecentGoodWatch score

Watch

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Comic fingerprint

Funny, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Spectacle4

Heart

Deeply moving and profoundly sad

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy9
  • Nostalgia7

Humor

Plenty of dark humor and slapstick

  • Dark Humor8
  • Physical Comedy7
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

A real life story, show business, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and storytelling

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrolling

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A funny new motion picture that tells Hollywood like it was!

An account of the rise and fall of a silent film comic, Billy Bright. The movie begins with his funeral, as he speaks from beyond the grave in a bitter tone about his fate, and takes us through his fame, as he ruins it with womanizing and drink, and his fall, as a lonely, bitter old man unable to reconcile his life's disappointments. The movie is based loosely on the life of Buster Keaton.
Showbiz DramaTragic ComedyBiographicalCharacter StudyMelancholyDarkly HumorousNon-Linear StorytellingHollywood HistoryRise and Fall NarrativeSilent Film Era

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Comic

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Comic legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Comic in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Comic worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64/100 (IMDb 6.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 67%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Comic rated?

PGSexual contentDrug use

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and drug use.

How long is The Comic?

1 h 35 min

The Comic runs 1 h 35 min.

Is The Comic based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Comic?

Critics67
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 67 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see The Comic much the same way.

What language is The Comic in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Comic?

2AUES

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Comic in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Comic use?

The AlcoholicNever My FaultBig Guy, Little GuyFaux Affably EvilNice GuyUnsympathetic Comedy ProtagonistVillain ProtagonistShow Within a ShowRiches to RagsFirst-Person SmartassNamed After Somebody FamousNice Character, Mean Actorand 3 more

TV Tropes lists 15 storytelling tropes for The Comic, including The Alcoholic, Never My Fault, Big Guy, Little Guy.