Zach Galifianakis - Live at the Purple Onion
Zach Galifianakis'stand-up comedy DVD spoofs the classic recorded stand-up performance film format by interjecting road trip footage of Zach and buddy in their red VW bus, and fake interviews with Zach's fake brother, "Seth," between his live stage bits. The splintered, slackerish feel that this editing lends the film reinforces Galifianakis's cool, enigmatic stage presence. Galifianakis' self-deprecating, sensitive guy-persona suits his love of deadpan one-liners in the tradition of Steven Wright. Sketches of the forgetful vegan who accidentally eats meat, or the pretentious illiterate who indignantly proclaims that he can't read, satirically poke fun at the self-righteous. Cut to a shot of the comedian's bus broken down off the freeway, then back to stage, where Zach riffs on his failed efforts to barter jokes for a fixed vehicle. Some segments, such as when Seth confesses his brother's affinity for making homemade ecstasy, are funnier than the Purple Onion performance. Like those on theChappelle Show, these pre-taped skits rescue slow moments and elevate the stage act into more heavily crafted commentary. Graced with a dry wit, Zach Galifianakis, the self-professed "man who is bored by everything," won't bore lovers of good sarcasm.--Trinie Dalton