For Madmen Only

2020

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for For Madmen Only: Trailer 1

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92%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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dave d

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An absolutely hilarious ride.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Heather Ross

Director

Michaela Watkins

Narrator

James Urbaniak

Self

Matt Walsh

Self

Patton Oswalt

Self

Jason Sudeikis

Self

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For Madmen Only: Trailer 1

2:28

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

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

Rated: 3/4

Jul 30, 2021

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

For Madmen Only is essential for comedy fans and historians.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 30, 2021

Full Review

John DeFore

Hollywood Reporter

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

Mar 30, 2020

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Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

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.

Jul 28, 2023

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Leslie Combemale

AWFJ.org

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.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 14, 2021

Full Review

Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

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.

Jul 28, 2021

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