Synopsis: Zach Galifianakis dreamed of becoming a star. But when Will Ferrell discovered his public access TV show "Between Two Ferns" and uploaded it to Funny Or Die, Zach became a viral laughing stock. Now Zach and his crew are taking a road trip to complete a series of high-profile celebrity interviews and restore his reputation.
Review: If you have seen Between Two Ferns before, you pretty much know what you are getting here. A feature length version of the Funny or Die web series, BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE is a mockumentary set behind the scenes of Zach Galifianakis' popular talk show. Expanding to a road trip story as Galifianakis tries to fulfill a contract with Will Ferrell (playing a fictionalized version of himself), this is a hilariously stupid movie that is so much better than it has any right to be. Similar to PEE WEE'S BIG HOLIDAY, BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE expands on a basic format and comedy style with a cast of celebrities who are in on the joke.
If you are unfamiliar with the web series Between Two Ferns, it is an interview show hosted by Zach Galifianakis where he asks insulting questions of famous actors and other celebrities. Created by Scott Aukerman and B.J. Porter, the series debuted intermittently starting in 2008. Directed by Porter, Aukerman, and Ruben Fleischer (VENOM), the series reached peak popularity when Galifianakis interviewed President Barack Obama in 2012. Replete with names misspelled and truly awkward moments, the show developed a cult following online. With this new feature film, we still get the classic interview segments with a new cast of celebrities, but it is connected by a narrative that features the Between Two Ferns crew and the celebrity guests playing fictional versions of themselves.
No one plays it safe in BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE as everyone is game to take jabs at themselves. Being in on the joke makes this movie so much more entertaining than it has any right to be and Zach Galifianakis' self-deprecating style works when he is filming his show or just playing "himself". Where the web series never explained why he hosts the show, the movie makes Galifianakis a native of Flinch, North Carolina who has been hosting his series on Public Access for years and gets famous guests thanks to benefactor Will Ferrell. With his desire to be a network talk show host, Ferrell sends Galifianakis on a quest to film 10 episodes in two weeks. From that jumping off point, we see Galifianakis take a cue from his role on Baskets and plays his character like a lovable idiot but one who actual has some depth to him.
Zach is joined on his road trip by his producer (Lauren Lapkus), cameraman (Ryan Gaul), and boom operator (Jiavani Linayao) who are pretty funny in their own right. Much of their trip plays like humor you would find on The Office or Parks and Recreation which makes this movie much more fun than it should be. The celebrity guests who appear on the talk show include Matthew McConaughey, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brie Larson, Jon Hamm, Paul Rudd, Awkwafina, Keanu Reeves, Tessa Thompson, Chance the Rapper, Hailee Steinfeld and many more. Some get involved with some funny subplots, especially David Letterman and the pairing of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen who make for one of the funnier segments of the film.
Directed by Scott Aukerman, BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE should be absolutely terrible but I could not stop laughing. The fact that a concept based on five minute videos could expand to a feature length should have sent red flags up but it predominantly works. Here and there are moments where jokes fall flat but most of them are worth the time. The mere fact that these celebrities are able to keep from cracking up when presented with offensive and ridiculous questions from Zach Galifianakis should earn them some respect. If you want evidence, watch through the credits which feature bloopers of many of the interviewees unable to restrain laughter and even Galifianakis himself can't help but chuckle sometimes. There is also a post-credit scene that is worth waiting for.
BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE would never have worked on the big screen but it is perfect for a service like Netflix. It is breezy and as easy to watch as any stand-up comedy special and the multiple talk show segments are short and weed out any filler material. Running just an hour and a half, this is a fun watch this weekend if you need a good laugh. Yes, it is silly and has no reason to exist, but I am glad it does. The fun time this A-list cast had filming these segments alone makes it worth your time.
Between Two Ferns: The Movie premieres September 20th on Netflix.