COMMITTED (Howie Mandel, Reed Grinsell, Steve Sunshine, U.S.). 63 minutes. Rating: NNNN
Howie Mandel discovered balding, diminutive comedian Vic Cohen in the 90s, when Cohen submitted jokes to his talk show. Mandel hired him as a writer but mostly used the untrained, insanely confident Cohen as a lab experiment, urging him to follow his every impulse. A camera crew was there when he opened for Mandel in concert, tried out for Radio City’s male Rockettes and staged an avant-garde dance performance for an audience of senior citizens. (Cohen’s go-to move is taking off his clothes and jumping around in his underwear.)
For the entirety of Committed, it’s
unlear whether Mandel is pranking Cohen or the audience – and honestly, I’m not sure it’s a prank at all. But it’s fascinating to watch Cohen launch himself into each new experience with absolute faith that it’ll make him a star.
Apr 25, 6 pm, TIFF 2 Apr 26, 11 am, TIFF 1 May 2, 9:30 pm, Hart House
