As a seasoned movie critic who’s seen more comedians than I can count, I must say that Matt Rife’s latest offering, “Lucid,” left me with a sense of déjà vu. It seemed like a well-trodden path, albeit with a fresh coat of paint.
“In response to critics who claim he only does crowd work and it’s effortless, comedian Matt Rife questions, ‘Is that so simple?’ The 28-year-old internet sensation still displays the protective attitude that was prevalent in his debut Netflix hour, ‘Natural Selection,’ which is now mostly remembered for a controversial bit about domestic violence. However, in his latest special, ‘Lucid,’ Rife’s recurring topics – primarily lewd humor and his defensive stance – are presented from the perspective of his audience, who were part of the first all-crowd work special by Netflix at the Comedy Zone in Charlotte, North Carolina.”
Back in the day, Todd Barry took an innovative approach by performing an entire stand-up act based on impromptu responses from his audience during a tour (and it was all captured in a special directed by Lance Bangs). Now, Rife is stepping into uncharted territory by doing something similar. The naysayers who seem to be bothering Rife might not be criticizing his traditional way of bonding with the crowd, but rather seeing him as more of an influencer than an observational comedian. They may think that Rife is leveraging TikTok as a quick route to success in the comedy world’s elite circle. With his distinctive features – full lips and strong jawline – Rife certainly embodies the part. As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t wait to see how this unique approach unfolds on stage!
In this piece, it’s clear that Rife underscores the fact that he has been performing at the Comedy Zone since his teenage years, despite his mainstream recognition being comparatively new. Regardless of opinions about his Gen-Z bro routine, the comedy “Lucid,” directed by frequent collaborator Erik Griffin, highlights Rife as a skilled MC with experience. He skillfully gauges how long to hold onto an engaging response without overdoing it (such as a woman who runs a tutorial business for blow jobs), and knows when to shift away from a clear dead end (a rambling segment about being single). Moreover, by including various perspectives, Rife becomes less overwhelming and more digestible, serving as a flavorful garnish rather than the main dish.
In reality, the show “Lucid” doesn’t live up to its implied spontaneity. While Rife initially engages in a predictable fashion, poking fun at a man wearing flashy, curled-toed boots, comparing him to Santa’s favorite elf, the majority of the hour revolves around discussing dreams. The initial segment focuses on aspirational dreams, such as a woman who abandoned her marketing career for aviation and a gay individual who has thought about his stage name if he were female (Brandy Jameson, quite fitting!). However, the latter part, which seems less engaging, delves into literal dream experiences. Rife himself frequently encounters a nightmare where his teeth fall out, while one audience member often experiences being pursued by a faceless witch.
Despite being skillful in leading discussions, Rife consistently lacks the spark of genuine, profound spontaneity. His approach, unfortunately, appears rather predictable. At first, he expresses gratitude for living his dream and asks about others’ aspirations. However, towards the end, it seems this setup is used to delve into more adolescent tales of intimacy. Notably, a distressing conversation is followed by a questionnaire about wet dreams.
Over the past few years, Netflix has shifted its comedy approach similarly to how it handles scripted programming, moving away from niche or diverse content towards more mainstream, populist choices. Critics are no longer the primary audience, as “Lucid” was not provided for review prior to release. Previously known for hosting shows like Maria Bamford’s offbeat and creative “Lady Dynamite”, Netflix now collaborates with figures like Rife, Joe Rogan, and Shane Gillis – individuals who can be polarizing in a tiresome, cultural conflict manner, but primarily deliver easy laughs. “Lucid” is simply the latest example of this broader strategy.
“Matt Rife: Lucid” is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-08-14 02:16