Although primarily known in Australia as a film actor, “Jesus is Magic” gives us the opportunity to witness Sarah Silverman’s stand up skills. It is essentially a concert film where we see Sarah on stage in LA for just under an hour, but it’s what has been added to this basic concept that makes it a unique experience.
The whole show is bookended by a story in which Sarah and her friends compare their achievements, forcing her into writing a show for that very night, complete with a MGM Musical opening number “I can write a show”. At several points during the stage show, the action is transported to some hilarious dream sequences and scenes that expand upon her material. There is a brilliant sequence where in true diva fashion, Sarah throws a tantrum over a brand of bottled water. This stuck up and conceited persona was played up to full effect during all the off stage scenes in the film.
Sarah also includes a number of songs throughout the show, the majority of which are performed as staged sequences. Among them are tunes such as “You’re gonna die soon” (performed to a Nursing Home audience) and “I love you more” where she uses many racial stereotypes to express her love for a man. At the conclusion of the stage show she is joined by a full band for a crazy version of “Amazing Grace” using various singing body parts.
Having previously only seen a glimpse of Sarah in stand up mode during the film “The Aristocrats”, I found her technique intriguing. It is an edgy style of comedy that can polarize audiences. She begins each bit by discussing a rather serious topic with straight faced dramatics. The story ends with a completely outrageous comment that if it not taken with the appropriate sense of irony, can appear to be quite offensive to the relevant minority. The humour is derived from the fact that these comments are the last thing you would expect to come out of the mouth of such a nice Jewish girl. This style of comedy would only work for someone like Sarah. It would definitely not work for your typical twenty-something, white, middle-class male comic. This fact is even proven in this film after the credits. In a brilliant call back to her temper tantrum dream sequence, Sarah’s “Understudy” completely murders some of the jokes we had previously seen Sarah slay the audience with.
“Sarah Silverman : Jesus Is Magic” is an interesting take on the stand up concert film. Those who are not easily offended will find it hilarious, but are likely to feel a little guilty at laughing at some (if not all) of the sensitive topics that Sarah explores.
“Sarah Silverman : Jesus Is Magic” is currently only available on DVD is the US. See www.jesusismagicthemovie.com for more information.