Ricky Gervais Meets... Larry David (2006)

Admirable film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Although this is a very interesting, if exceptionally simple short documentary - it seems geared to mutual promotion rather than being a 'scoop' for Channel 4 as another commentator has written.HBO were joint funding or distributing (they were certainly broadcasting) Gervais's series "Extras" (Gervais even points out a huge advert for it on his way to the interview) at the time and Channel 4 were broadcasting Curb Your Enthuisiasm - so it must of seemed a natural step to make a quick documentary with both leads exchanging notes. Gervais seems a little fawning and awkward next to David and rightfully so as Extras was essentially a tipping of the hat to Curb and had 'borrowed' many of it's techniques (using celebrities, awkward situations, the other side of TV making etc). It seems logical that HBO's backing helped Gervais acquire so many big Hollywood names to its fold - Ben Stiller (as himself) contributed to Curb and Extras.An interesting insight into Larry David's real life but not nearly as interesting as Curb You Enthusiasm and no real depth is explored.

Ricky Gervais has had one of the most successful and highest selling BBC comedies ever with The Office and with Extras was able to engage Hollywood stars not normally found on television. However he has turned down Hollywood roles and million dollar endorsements so how does he benefit from his success? He meets his idol – Seinfeld writer Larry David.A real coup for both Channel 4 and Ricky Gervais in getting Larry David to do an interview but not only do one, but do one that is as fun as watching his show. Aside from the clips (which are sparingly and well used) this show consists of Gervais and David on either end of a small couch, chatting about ideas, influences, laughter, famous lives, alternative jobs and just shoot the breeze. Both men are natural from start to finish and it makes for a great "interview", although I personally would struggle to use that work to describe this simply because it is much more like two guys having a chat. The film occasionally allows some praise to come Gervais' way but David is a much more interesting subject and his conversation helped me see why I loved Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, because he just has that flow and sense of humour that I love. He came over as a really nice guy if you got on with him and helped me understand why he generally shuns the interviews, chat shows and easy options.The use of clips is generally good. I think they had maybe 10 Curb ones and only three ones from Seinfeld. All of them were in context of the conversation and were certainly not filler – in fact I think if the film had had 90 minutes to fill it could easily have done that because there appeared to be not a single slack moment here. I have only started watching Curb recently and I found this interview being just another reason why I'm watching it. Overall a wonderfully enjoyable chat between two funny men; if you hate Seinfeld and Curb then you should avoid this because I don't think you'll like it at all – try switching to another channel, an episode of Joey should be starting soon.