Written by director Kyle Anderson and star Gareth Reynolds, Give It Up chronicles the comeback of Mortimer (Reynolds), who might just be the worst stand-up comic of all time. It all starts when the disorganized, unprofessional man gets let go from his podcast in favor of a viral 11-year-old. Confused, frustrated, and with little recourse, Mortimer decides he should get back out there and reignite his stand-up career.
The problem is that Mortimer is a self-centered manchild. He can never be wrong and believes that an old flame reaching out is her way of asking to go back to “bone town.” Mortimer thinks this despite his ex now being married. Unfortunately for him, Mortimer’s stage set is just as lackluster as his personal life. He makes jokes about TiVo and other irrelevant, outdated, or confusing topics. Things get even worse when he does his “gay” rant. But, fellow comic Susie (Maggie Maye) still believes in Mortimer, as the routine that put him on the map was good for its time. Can Mortimer save his dying career? Does he even deserve to, considering his attitude towards others?
Give It Up is a mockumentary, which works in its favor. The cutaways to interviews with Mortimer or others help keep everything grounded. Mortimer is almost delusional when discussing his opening act, a man called Pumpinhead (Joey Avery). The edit of the YouTuber killing it on stage is both a savage takedown of the lead and a commentary on modern audiences’ sense of humor. Such all-important timing is kept up throughout the 89-minute runtime, ensuring maximum amusement. The conclusion to the car garage gig is a strong testament to that.
“…Mortimer’s stage set is just as lackluster as his personal life.”
But Anderson and Reynolds are not just making a comedy. They are also crafting a portrait of a man stuck in arrested development, too self-absorbed to reflect and change. This means the character relationships need to feel real, and the journey’s drama needs to be grounded. The filmmakers achieve this by writing engaging roles for everyone in Mortimer’s orbit. Susie is fully developed and has her own arc. Chelcie Lynn’s Samantha also has a wild backstory that further expands the world.
Give It Up wouldn’t work if Reynolds didn’t fit the role well. Fortunately, the actor is still engaging even when his character deserves to be punched through the roof. The way he plays the anxiety and blabbermouth speech is funny and frustrating at the same time. Maye is effortlessly amusing throughout. Jake Johnson has a small role but nails it with perfect comedic timing. Avery is so over-the-top that he is hilarious.
Give It Up is a funny, dramatic look at one douche’s reckoning with his public image and himself. Anderson and Reynolds know exactly where to punctuate the laughs and when to let the drama take the stage. Reynolds nails the lead role, balancing irritation and likability. So grab a seat and wait to see what happens when Mortimer walks to the microphone.
For more information, visit the official Give It Up site.
"…funny, dramatic..."
