Sundance: If anything, the documentary by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley about this beloved and wonderfully honest comedian suffers from having too much good material.
Here is a problem any comedian would love to have: an excess of good material. That is the case with the documentary by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, "Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story," which centers on a subject who is 1) incredibly funny and captivating, 2) open to sharing her life, and 3) has experienced enough ups and downs to fill half a dozen documentaries.
Directors: Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley
Stars: Judd Apatow, Joel Bamford, Maria Bamford
Add to this a long list of interviewees—ranging from Bamford’s family to Ted Sarandos, Sarah Silverman, Conan O’Brien, Tig Notaro, Patton Oswalt, and many others—a wealth of archival footage, and a final 20 minutes that feel remarkably "timely," and the duo’s documentary comes across as overloaded—in both the best and worst ways.
In other words: "Paralyzed by Hope" is one of those rare documentaries about a "celebrity" that would have actually benefited from being split into two parts. Who would have thought!
As a subject, Bamford is a dream: funny (obviously!), honest, willing to delve into any topic, disarming, and genuinely interested in discussing the worst experiences she has gone through in her life. Although she never explicitly states that her greatest life achievement has been her ability to share her experiences with others, that idea is inherently present in everything she does—from her comedy shows to her philanthropic work.
Toward the end of the documentary, fellow comedian Ron Funches sums it up perfectly: Bamford’s existence is "a genuine net positive." She simply makes the world a better place. The film by Apatow and Berkeley sets out to show just how true that is—and the high price she has paid to reach this point. As one might expect, the film begins in a lighthearted, "behind-the-scenes" fashion—a tone that is, at times, missed later on—with Apatow arriving at Bamford’s home and handing her $500 to get the conversation started. It is understandable that Bamford might be somewhat hesitant to share further details about her life—despite the candor with which she addresses her own existence in her comedy acts—but any trace of nervousness quickly dissipates.
Apatow and Berkeley make excellent use of a series of testimonials throughout the film; the prominence of many of these figures underscores Bamford’s significance in the world of comedy (even as they later joke about how, for decades, she has been labeled "the next big star"). Her natural honesty also allows for a sharp exploration of the aura that surrounds her. O’Brien, for instance, remains struck by the fact that the anxiety she discusses on stage is, in reality, genuine. For Notaro, that level of sincerity is refreshing. Zach Galifianakis, meanwhile, marvels at Bamford’s ability to delve, with pinpoint precision, into the elements that shaped her personality. Many comedians talk about their nerves or a difficult childhood, but in Bamford’s case, it is not an act—it is entirely real.
Bamford herself takes us back to her childhood home on the outskirts of Duluth, where she reflects both on a relatively "idyllic" upbringing and on the many aspects of it that were, in truth, exceptionally difficult. The family unit—which includes her sister Sarah, who also possesses a great sense of humor—was a very close-knit group; yet, the figure of her mother, Marilyn, seems to stand out above all others. Marilyn’s struggles with her own mental health not only parallel those of Maria—whose medical diagnoses shape much of the second half of the documentary—but also exerted a profound influence on her, particularly regarding the body-image issues that Bamford developed during her adolescence.
Nevertheless, Bamford is the last person on earth to cast blame on anyone; for this reason, when she opens up about the gradual evolution of her various mental health challenges, the level of intimacy she shares with the viewer is truly striking. Those who follow Bamford’s comedy—showcased here through numerous clips spanning decades—will recognize some of her experiences; yet, she shies away from no topic, covering everything from suicidal ideation and bulimia to issues with excessive spending, as well as the harrowing ways in which her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests—primarily through horrific intrusive thoughts that, from a very young age, led Bamford to worry that she might commit terrible crimes.
The honesty with which Bamford approaches all of this—and yes, you’re probably tired of seeing the word "honesty" by now, but there simply isn’t a better term to define who Bamford is and how she lives—is, as other comedians have noted, authentic, refreshing, and truly unique. Her years in comedy, combined with her early days performing acts that incorporated the violin, have turned Bamford into a powerhouse of storytelling and joke-telling; yet, it’s clear that she still reflects carefully on every word she speaks and every action she takes. And yet, it never feels as though she is filtered, nor does there ever seem to be a distance between her and the audience.
You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! And—through a process that is well worth the journey—you’ll come to appreciate everything that Maria Bamford is and aspires to be.
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