Comic Comeback

Some people are born with an extra-powerful funny bone. They don’t need an act or a writer or a paying audience. They see humor around them every day and revel in sharing their amusing observations with everyone. In The Last Laugh, Buddy Green (Richard Dreyfuss) appears to fit this description. He started out being a great stand-up comic whose agent (Chevy Chase) booked him for a spot on The Ed Sullivan Show back in the 1960s, which was considered the crown jewel of comedy gigs then. But Buddy just up and quit. His agent, Al Hart, hasn’t seen or heard from him for half a century.

Imagine Al’s surprise when Buddy turns out to be his tour guide in the elderly assistance home he’s moving into. Even more surprising, Buddy is still getting laughs and being the life of the party. But soon both men, who are in their 80s, get bored and decide to try show biz again.  Al finds his old rolodex and starts calling his contacts.  

And so begins a tough but revealing road trip from Los Angeles to New York, with Buddy performing in stops along the way.            

A comeback after fifty years?

If successful, that would rate cheers.

An agent thinks it’s worth pure gold

but comic believes he’s just too old.

Yet funny man still cracks his jokes

and gets laughter among most folks.

Agent and client hit the road.

Both elderly, so it’s a load.

Watching these two is lots of fun

with a tear or two when it’s done.

Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss

know the way to entertain us!

Chevy the straight man in this show,

while Richard’s humor seems to glow.

Together they make quite a pair.

Not praising them would not be fair.

Chase and Dreyfuss play off each other like the pros they are. Yes, Chase must hold back his own humorous side to make way for Dreyfuss’ comic tour de force. But this casting works. While watching The Last Laugh, my husband and I found ourselves laughing more than at any movie since Paddington 2.       

 Fortunately, all cast members deliver the goods here. Standouts include: Andie MacDowell as an adventurous hippy follower; Lewis Black as a fellow comic with an important decision to make; Chris Parnell as Buddy’s worried son; and Kate Micucci as Al’s concerned granddaughter.

Although not a perfect movie (fantasy segment, I’m talking about you), The Last Laugh reminds us how important it is to follow your dream at any age.       

  

(Released by Netflix and rated TV-MA.)

NOTE: This review is dedicated to the late great George Bettinger, who will always be Mr. Showbiz to me.