GOOD ON PAPER

US, 2021, 92 minutes, Colour.

Iliza Shlesinger, Ryan Hansen, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Margaret Cho.

Directed by Kimmy Gatewood.

Iliza Shlesinger is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor. She draws on this experience for this film, with an ironic title, if something is good and works on paper, how does it stand-up in reality?

The film is enjoyable for Iliza Shlesinger’s performance, a strong screen presence, able to deliver the lines, frequently comic as well as sometimes full of pathos.

Her character is after the ideal man and, with the constant presence of Denis, Ryan Hansen, always on hand, a plausible story, full of charm, she feels she has met him.

And this narrative is carried on throughout the framework of her performance in stand-up comedy.

And she has a good friend played by Margaret Cho, urging her on, sometimes sceptical.

And, of course, the charming man, potential romantic hero, proves not only to be a fake but also a deceiver, unmasked at the end – and, continuing the disillusion of Iliza Shlesinger.

Whether all the jokes work on screen in comparison with the impact of performance in the club can be debated. However, there is the strong feminist attitude pervading the film which, in circumstances like these, is significant.

1. Iliza Shlesinger, stand-up comedian, writer, actor, her film and perspective? Feminist perspective?
2. The Los Angeles setting, apartments, studios, television offices, banks, bars? The contrast of different areas, Beverly Hills? The musical score?
3. The framework of the stand-up comedy, Andrea, personality, age, references to 35, her career, stand-up comedy and success, diffidence, onstage strength, working the room? Her monologue, looking back over her life, her relationship with Denis? The monologue interspersed with the action? And the flashbacks?
4. The airport episode, the criticism of people dropping things, Denis and her boarding pass, sitting next to her in the plane, the conversation, his story about hedge funds, his personality, pleasant, accommodating? Andrea and the attraction, despite herself?
5. Andrea, her friendship with Margot, Margot is tough-minded, the bar, observing Denis, backup, criticisms, support?
6. The rivalry with Serena, the past friendship, Serena as the star, her billboard, Andrea’s reaction to the prominent billboard, the clashes? Serena’s career, Andrea and the audition, her criticism of the script, the reaction of the producers, dismissing her, taking her points? Her later offered the part, her elation, going to the reading, Serena present? The role of Serena later, their friendship, helping each other, some bonding?
7. Denis, always charming, always appearing, his story, the background from Yale, Andrea’s cousin, the golf game, Denis and his injury, avoiding the issue, his stories about Yale? nice and believable?
8. Andrea and Margot, going to Dennis’s address, finding the roommates, their characters, eccentricities, art? Truth about Denis, the friends and their later collaboration with Andrea and the unmasking?
9. The effect of the relationship on Andrea, the sexual relationship, friendship, support? Unwilling to doubt? The evidence, Margot’s pressure? Serena’s collaboration?
10. The buildup to the finale, serious, Denis and his unmasking, the true unpleasantness in his character, the physical capture, his comeuppance? The blend of the sad, slapstick, humour, truth?
11. In the final effect for Andrea, able to do the monologue, her future?