Julia Scotti: Funny That Way

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1h 13m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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7 Reviews

With breathtaking emotional honesty, this tender, funny, and powerful portrait of transgender comedian Julia Scotti explores the unrelenting courage and humor it takes to be Julia. In the comedy boom of the 1980’s Rick Scotti was a busy guy--appearing in clubs across the country, on bills with Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, when he came to the dawning realization that nothing felt right. At a time when the words gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery were rarely heard, Rick’s true awakening at age forty-seven led to a new identity as Julia Scotti. And then everyone turned away--former wives, friends, family, comedy world buddies, and most painfully Julia was shut out from any contact with her children. Julia reinvented herself, spent a decade teaching, and then several years ago, stepped back on stage and began her journey back to the world she loves, and her children reached out to her after 15 years of silence. Shot over a period of five years, the film tracks Julia’s triumphant comeback and the complex process of reuniting with her children, as comedy becomes the shared language of identity, healing, and joy.

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Leaf Arbuthnot

Guardian

The result is a film of real compassion, that will stay with you long after its (zippy) runtime is over.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 30, 2023

Full Review

Andrew Murray

The Upcoming

Funny, honest and thoroughly endearing, Funny That Way is a deeply personal and reflective story of a fascinating individual’s trans experience.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 4, 2023

Full Review

Joey Moser

Awards Daily

Above all else, Sandler's film celebrates an artist who continues to hone her craft at an age when most are slowing down.

Jun 29, 2021

Full Review

Rob Rector

Film Threat

Whether she is on a stand-up stage, speaking with families of LGBTQIA members, or just hanging at home with her family, Scotti's passion for performance and healing with humor pervades every scene.

Rated: 8/10

Jun 29, 2021

Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna

AWFJ.org

[A] refreshingly honest and moving documentary.

Jun 25, 2021

Full Review

James Kleinmann

The Queer Review

An uplifting, frequently funny, and sometimes poignant watch.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 28, 2021

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Audience Member

Empowering. Not just for GLBTQ persons, but for all. At 55 I can relate to being irritated at how much life has gone by me, how much more I want to do and say, and how limited my time is. I found it motivating, uplifting and endearing. I could say so much more, but I'd ruin the film for people that haven't seen it. If you want a honest film about finding and accepting yourself, this is a great one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a charming and honest documentary about a transgender comedian I first saw perform in Nantucket in 2014. The filmmaker uses archival images and present-day footage effectively to tell Julia's story without resorting to emotional manipulation. And the animated inserts are great. The resulting film is funny, thought-provoking, and a tribute to its subject's unique journey. By avoiding the pitfalls of politically correct agitprop trans pedantry, we're given a film that's just a whole lot of fun. What more could you ask for?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Susan Sandler

Director

Julia Scotti

Self

Susan Sandler

Producer

India Blake Johnson

Executive Producer

Paul Szynol

Executive Producer

Jamie DiNicola

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

With breathtaking emotional honesty, this tender, funny, and powerful portrait of transgender comedian Julia Scotti explores the unrelenting courage and humor it takes to be Julia. In the comedy boom of the 1980’s Rick Scotti was a busy guy--appearing in clubs across the country, on bills with Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, when he came to the dawning realization that nothing felt right. At a time when the words gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery were rarely heard, Rick’s true awakening at age forty-seven led to a new identity as Julia Scotti. And then everyone turned away--former wives, friends, family, comedy world buddies, and most painfully Julia was shut out from any contact with her children. Julia reinvented herself, spent a decade teaching, and then several years ago, stepped back on stage and began her journey back to the world she loves, and her children reached out to her after 15 years of silence. Shot over a period of five years, the film tracks Julia’s triumphant comeback and the complex process of reuniting with her children, as comedy becomes the shared language of identity, healing, and joy.

Director: Susan Sandler
Producer: India Blake Johnson, Paul Szynol
Production Co: Transformative Comedy
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2021
Runtime: 1h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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