The Maria Bamford Story: A Brilliant Comedy Review
- Fairly late into Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story, comedian Maria Bamford goes on a radio show where the idea is brought up that she's the "next...
- Even after all these years of work, it's not that Bamford should necessarily be the next big thing, but rather, it's almost shocking Bamford isn't more widely-known and...
- It's very clear that Apatow knows Bamford is wary about making a documentary about her life.
Fairly late into Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story, comedian Maria Bamford goes on a radio show where the idea is brought up that she’s the “next big thing.” It’s notably funny to the host adn to Bamford, as Bamford states that she’s been the “next big thing” for moast of her career, but it’s hilarious to us watching the film, who have just seen decades of incredible work and talent in every facet of Bamford’s legacy.
Even after all these years of work, it’s not that Bamford should necessarily be the next big thing, but rather, it’s almost shocking Bamford isn’t more widely-known and more appreciated for her hilarious stand-up career, her many appearances in everything from Arrested Development to starring in her own show,Lady Dynamite,and even appearing in Target ads and viral online series. Is Bamford always the next big thing, or is she just so brilliant that she always seems ahead of her time in the way that she mixes extremely dark and self-deprecating topics with a sense of humor that makes you laugh so hard, your side hurts? In Paralyzed by Hope, directors Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley give an in-depth look at the life and career of Bamford and show why she’s the current best thing.
‘Paralyzed by Hope’ Gives a Thorough Look at Maria Bamford’s Life
It’s very clear that Apatow knows Bamford is wary about making a documentary about her life. Bamford fully admits it’s okay with her if this movie falls through, and Apatow jokingly brings Bamford her pay for the day’s work, almost as though he thinks this might be the only time she agrees to be part of this. But Apatow knows comedy greatness, as he’s shown time and time again in his movies and TV shows, and it’s obvious that he thinks Bamford is just the best. Later on, when we see clips of Lady Dynamite, Apatow plays himself as a filmmaker who desperately wants Bamford to sign off on a movie about her life. She jokes that she never wants to be that famous, and it’s a moment that seems extremely based in the reality of their relationship.
Over the last decade or so, Apatow has become quite an extraordinary documentarian, focusing on topics that he’s obviously passionate about. In 2016, he co-directed the 30 for 30 installment Doc & Darryl, followed by the extremely underrated music doc, May It Last: A Portrait of The Avett Brothers, and miniseries about comedy heroes with The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling and George Carlin’s American Dream. His co-director, Berkeley, also has a great history of comedy docs, including 2014’s Harmontown, 2017’s Gilbert, and Group Therapy, which gathered comedians like Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia, Nicole Byer, and others, to talk about comedy and mental health. Because of their past work and their obvious affinity for Bamford, this duo is the perfect combination to tell Bamford’s story.
Impersonating her family has always been a major part of her act, so Paralyzed by Hope naturally begins with her childhood, growing up in Duluth, Minnesota. Even from an early age, Bamford talks about how she would frequently enough imagine her own suicide, and would worry about doing things that she didn’t want to do. Diving into Bamford’s history with mental health issues could’ve made this a diffic
