Punchline

"Dying is easy. Comedy is hard."

1988 2h 3m EN

😐

5.5

MID

★5.5TMDB · 160

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.

“Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Sally Field
Lilah Krytsick
Tom Hanks
Steven Gold
John Goodman
John Krytsick
Mark Rydell
Romeo
Kim Greist
Madeline Urie
Paul Mazursky
Arnold
Damon Wayans
Percy
Taylor Negron
Albert Emperato

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: David Seltzer
Writers: David Seltzer
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

38 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by David Seltzer, shot by Reynaldo Villalobos. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Charles Gross. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Bruce Green shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Sally Field and Tom Hanks and John Goodman carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0095927 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

David Seltzer directs. Reynaldo Villalobos behind the camera. Charles Gross scores. Bruce Green cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

138 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Directed by David Seltzer, shot by Reynaldo Villalobos. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Charles Gross. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Bruce Green shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Sally Field and Tom Hanks and John Goodman carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.".
7IMDB entry: tt0095927 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.