The Next Reel Film Podcast

What’s up, Doc? • The Next Reel

2016-03-04

“You’re upside down, sir.” It’s time for another Listener’s Choice episode! This time, 2015 Pony Prize winner Ben Lott gets to select and he chose Peter Bogdanovich’s 1972 screwball comedy “What’s Up, Doc?” Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we delve into one of Ben’s favorites. We talk about our initial expectations and experiences of this movie and how this film improves with conversation and when watched with a group of friends. We chat about the nature of screwball comedy and how it can be very difficult to jump back into an old genre but how well the writers David Newman, Robert Benton and Buck Henry pull it off here. We discuss our issues with the daffy dame played by Barbra Streisand and how she really compares to a psychopath or thief, despite the fact that once you get past the setup of the film, she really is a fun character that we grow to love. We chat about the other performers in the film, notably Ryan O’Neal and Madeline Kahn, and discuss what they bring to the table. And we talk about the nature of the comedy in the film and look at several sequences that stand out as the highlights. It’s a really fun movie that we’re glad to have seen, so thanks, Ben! So check out the movie then tune in to the conversation! Film Sundries

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Original theatrical trailer
Original poster artwork
Flickchart
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