For Madmen Only

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2:28

For Madmen Only

2020

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a personification of the creative impulse itself. He's a muse with BO and dirty needles, offering transcendence despite (or because of) the trail of wreckage behind him.

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

07/30/2021

3/4

...a dark and deeply troubled soul - but some 20 years after his death, his acolytes still have us laughing.

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Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

07/30/2021

3/4

For Madmen Only is essential for comedy fans and historians.

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John DeFore

The Hollywood Reporter

03/30/2020

A funny and poignant look at a man to whom comedy nerds owe an incalculable debt.

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Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

07/28/2023

Undoubtedly, For Madmen Only is essential viewing for comedy and improvisation hounds, but Ross must be praised for her ability to appeal to general audiences as well as hardcore scholars.

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Leslie Combemale

AWFJ.org

08/14/2021

4/5

For comedy nerds, those who stand in front of a crowd and those that applaud them,For Madmen Onlyis a fascinating look at an unsung (and arguably unhinged) hero of improvisation.

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

07/28/2021

In the spirit of his "Do-It-Yourself Psychoanalysis Kit" skit, For Madmen Only burns brightly and recedes with a wink and a nod. Crazy how that happens sometimes.

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dave d

12/01/2021

The story of Del Close, the funniest man not alive who you have probably never heard of, is required watching for fans of comedy, improvisation, and SNL (and all the shows like it). It's a brilliant warts and all documentary film on a man that loved teaching and the fruits of his efforts are on display for all to see. You mean there's a person who was a part of the training of nearly every single comic acting genius of the last 50 years?? Yes! His stories are incredible and so is the doc! Final Score: 9/10

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07/27/2021

An absolutely hilarious ride.

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Heather Ross

Director

Michaela Watkins

Narrator

James Urbaniak

Self

Matt Walsh

Self

Patton Oswalt

Self

Jason Sudeikis

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For Madmen Only: Trailer 1

2:28

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Synopsis

Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a personification of the creative impulse itself. He's a muse with BO and dirty needles, offering transcendence despite (or because of) the trail of wreckage behind him.

Director: Heather Ross
Producer: Jennifer Pike, Heather Ross
Screenwriter: Adam Samuel Goldman, Heather Ross
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2021